ISLAMABAD:The National Assembly Standing Committee on Railways was informed that manufacturing train coaches in Pakistan costs 50% less than importing them from China. Officials revealed that producing a coach locally costs Rs 130 million, compared to Rs 250 million for an imported Chinese coach.
During a visit to the Islamabad Carriage Factory, railway officials told the committee—chaired by Rai Hassan Nawaz—that Pakistan is manufacturing coaches with Chinese assistance, and each locally made coach has a lifespan of 35 years.
Committee members expressed anger over the absence of Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi and the Railways Secretary from the meeting. Member Ramesh Lal demanded Abbasi’s resignation, while the committee chairman warned that if such absenteeism continues, they would escalate the matter to the Prime Minister, Speaker, and Privileges Committee.
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On the question of outsourcing railway stations, officials confirmed that the idea is under consideration but said the private sector has not yet shown significant inter
est.
