2nd phase of railways’ anti-encroachment drive after polls
By Khalid Amin

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan Railways (PR) will launch after the polls the second phase of its countrywide drive to reclaim illegally occupied railway land, Minister for Railways Mansoor Tariq said Tuesday.
Talking to newsmen, he said PR would not allow any interference by political group or influential people to create obstruct the anti-encroachment campaign.
He hoped that the Railways would achieve its target to retrieve 100 percent encroached land by the end of this month.
“We have already retaken 60 percent of illegally occupied land valuing worth Rs 4.5 billion since drive was initiated last month,” said Mansoor Tariq, who is personally overseeing the efforts.
He said the project to rehabilitate rail tracks damaged during recently riots that caused losses worth Rs. 9 billion was also underway.
Tariq said 428 acres of commercial, agricultural and residential land valuing Rs 4.5 billion had been reclaimed by Pakistan Railways in its all seven divisions. “We have also retaken 222 acres of land worth Rs. 3524 million in Karachi with the assistance of Pakistan Rangers, city police and Railway Police,”the minister said.
In Lahore, Peshwar, Rawalpindi, Quetta, Sukkur and Multan Divisions, some 206 acres of commercial, residential and agricultural land valuing Rs 976 million has been regained by the Railways, the Minister said.
Mansoor Tariq appreciated the performance of officials, police and other supporting departments of the Railways in the drive. In recognition of their achievements, the ministry has given commendatory letters to all the officials. The Minister said concerted efforts would be made to undertake commercial ventures on the reclaimed land, which would prevent any land-grab in future.
Tariq said Pakistan Railways has the potential to meet its expenditures from its existing resources and improving its infrastructure and providing passengers with still better amenities.
He said that in order to turn the reclaimed land 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 has to be stopped forthwith, he said.