Federal Minister for Railways, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, has announced complete elimination of Very Important Person (VIP) culture at the top level in Pakistan Railways by imposing a ban on the use of special saloons and VIP rest house rooms by top officials, including himself.
Any citizen would now be able to avail these luxury travel and accommodation facilities by paying a reasonable fare.
The federal minister stated that revolutionary steps were being taken to modernize the railways department in line with public aspirations, he said while talking to APP, adding, for the first time in Pakistan’s history, VIP culture within the railways has been completely eradicated from the top down.
The federal minister said that an immediate ban has been imposed on all saloons reserved for VVIP movement, including the Minister’s Saloon, Chairman’s Saloon, Chief Executive’s Saloon, and the saloon used by the Inspector General (IG) Railways. In the past, these saloons were used exclusively for the travel needs of specific personalities, placing an additional financial burden on the department.
Muhammad Hanif Abbasi clarified that these luxury saloons and VIP rooms at railway rest houses across the country have now been allocated for the general public. Any ordinary citizen could now book these premium facilities for their travel and stay upon payment of a fixed and reasonable rent.
The primary objective of this initiative was not only to provide the best and most luxurious facilities to railway passengers equally but also to generate additional sources of revenue for the railways department. The federal minister remarked that the railway is a national asset, and the general public of Pakistan held the primary right to all its resources.
