Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Railways has asked the Pakistan Railways to retrieve its encroached land in Lahore, Mardan division, and Tando Adam, a news source reported. The committee has directed the organisation to submit related details, and take efficient steps to retrieve the land from illegal occupants.
During the committee’s meeting, chaired by Senator Asad Ali Khan Junejo, the functions of the Pakistan Railways Police were discussed. Discussions included how the authority can remove and stop encroachment on the Railways land across the country.
The committee lauded the Pakistan Railways for its improved services, but expressed concern over the encroached land issue. The committee’s officials stated that amendments are needed in the railway laws to pave the way for more effective performance of the Railways Police. They added that the organisation needs to conduct an in-depth review of the mechanism to lease railways property.
Railways Police Inspector General Wajid Zia revealed that the railways track was not under their direct jurisdiction. This is why they can’t retrieve the encroached land, he added.
Zia informed the committee that 801 acres of 3,979 acres of encroached land (throughout the country) has already been retrieved. The committee has suggested to form a special unit of Railways Police to retrieve the encroached land.
