PR retakes 60% encroached land
By Adnan Rafique

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan Railways has retaken 60 percent of its illegally occupied lands valuing about Rs 4.5 billion as a result of a campaign launched across the country, Caretaker Minister for Railways Mansoor Tariq said while addressing the conference of all Divisional Superintendents of Pakistan Railways held here Monday.
The Chairman Pakistan Railways Ghiasuddin Ahmed also attended the conference that was held to evaluate the lands reclaimed by Pakistan Railways during the last two weeks in an anti-encroachment drive.
The anti-encroachment drive is being run under the supervision of the minister.
The conference also made a review of the on-going Rs. 9 billion rehabilitation project on Karachi-Lahore main track and of the damages incurred to Pakistan Railways on account of law and order situation in Sindh province after the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
The meeting was told that 428 acres of commercial, agricultural and residential land valuing Rs 4.5 billion has been reclaimed by Pakistan Railways from its all seven division during the last two weeks. The ministry has retaken 222 acres of land which worth Rs. 3524 million from Karachi with the assistance of Pakistan Rangers, city police and Railway Police, the meeting was told.
The meeting was also informed that from Lahore, Peshwar, Rawalpindi Quetta, Sukkur and Multan Division, 206 acres of commercial, residential and agricultural land valuing Rs 976 million has been regained.
Appreciating the role of railways officials, railway police and other supporting departments in procuring these valuable lands from the unauthorized occupation.
The minister said a concerted effort should now be made to avail these reclaimed lands into commercial ventures so as they do not fall into the hands of land grabbers once again.
Mansoor said Pakistan Railways has the potential to meet its expenditures from its existing resources which can be spent on improving its infrastructure and providing the rail passengers with best amenities.
He said that in order to turn these precious lands into revenue generating assets, the private public partnership has to be encouraged for joint ventures with Pakistan Railways.
Giving railway lands on lease for longer periods should be stopped forthwith, he continued.
The minister said Pakistan Railways would not brook any interference with the drive by political groups or influential people and rest of the occupied land would also be retrieved in the next phase to be launched after the general elections.