Pakistan Railways has outsourced the commercial management of 14 trains to private parties under a public-private partnership through a fair and transparent bidding process, WealthPK reports.

An official of the ministry told media that the basic purpose of outsourcing the trains is to provide better facilities to passengers and generate more revenue for the department.

The privatised trains include Mehr Express, Fareed Express, Faiz Ahmad Faiz Express, Mehran Express, Sir Syed Express, Badar Express, Ghauri Express, Mianwali Express, Mohenjo Daro Express, Thal Express, Tezgam Express, Subak Kharam, Rawal Express and Ravi Express.

The official said the trains have been privatised through a transparent procedure of tendering under Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Rules by floating advertisement in the leading newspapers of the country.

He said that only those trains were privatised that received bids over and above the earning of the Pakistan Railways.

The official said the trains were privatised with the objective to increase earnings and reduce losses of the Pakistan Railways, improve cleanness and provide better food facilities to passengers.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk