In the first half of the financial year 2023-24, Pakistan Railway has marked a historic boost in revenue, reaching Rs 41 billion, a significant surge from the Rs 28 billion recorded in the corresponding period last year.
CEO Aamir Baloch anticipates improvements with the launch of the ML1 project. Additionally, he highlighted advancements in the timely disbursement of salaries for railway employees, minimizing delays and ensuring punctual payments.
Baloch expressed the railway’s commitment to enhancing services and expanding travel facilities throughout the year.
Notably, last December, Pakistan Railways increased Right of Way (ROW) charges for a single-track crossing to Rs. 3.8 million for five years, a move aimed at bolstering revenue.
Historically, the railway charged Rs. 100,000 per track crossing for a decade when fiber broadband installations were made by telecom operators. This figure rose to Rs. 2.7 million for five years in 2007 as fiber broadband usage expanded.
However, in 2022, the PTI-led government reduced crossing charges to Rs. 600,000 per crossing for a lifetime to promote fiber broadband, with cable TV operators continuing to pay only Rs. 100 per year.