Four outsourced trains generated Rs4.4b for Pakistan Railways in last four years

Islamabad: Four trains of Pakistan Railways (PR) are currently being operated by private companies under a public-private partnership programme. The trains have been outsourced under Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Rules 2004 through a ‘competitive, fair and transparent’ bidding process, railways officials told APP.

However, Railways has not privatised any passenger trains since 2012, the official added. They said the outsourced trains include Night Coach, Hazara Express, Fareed Express and Shalimar Express.

The sources said that Pakistan Railways is generating revenue of Rs4.4 billion per year from the four outsourced trains which amounts to Rs368.070 million per month. Before being outsourced the four trains were generating Rs1.761 billion for Pakistan Railways, the officials claimed.