Pakistan Railways mulls renting locos from India

Islamabad, Aug 13 (PTI) The cash-strapped Pakistan
Railways is mulling a proposal to rent 50 locomotives from
India to help normalise its operation across the country
following suspension of dozens of trains due to a lack of
engines.
Locomotives could be hired from India if the government
approves the proposal, Saeed Akhtar, General Manager
(operations) of Pakistan Railways, told the Dawn newspaper.
Pakistan recently made an inquiry with Indian Railways
about hiring locomotives and "there was willingness" on the
part of the Indian authorities, the daily quoted its sources
as saying.
Subject to the approval of the federal government,
Pakistan Railways would consider the move if it proves to be
feasible, the report said.
The situation between India and Pakistan has improved
following Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar's
recent visit to New Delhi and the situation was conducive to a
measure like hiring locomotives from the Indian Railways, the
report added.
Akhtar said China and the Czech Republic too had shown
keenness to rent locomotives to the Pakistan Railways.
"We will advertise and pursuing a transparent procedure,
whosoever gets the contract, the responsibility of maintenance
of locomotives will be on the supplier and Pakistan Railways
will pay the rent on daily basis. Pakistan Railways will only
provide the staff," Akhtar said.
Pakistan Railways is currently facing an acute shortage
of locomotive and this has resulted in dozens of passenger
trains being suspended and others being delayed for up to 12
hours, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded across the
country.
A comprehensive action plan for restoring railway
operations was approved during a high-level meeting chaired by
Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmad Bilour on Thursday.