ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Railways, led by Senator Jam Saifullah Khan, voiced serious concerns over the absence of the Minister for Railways and the Ministry’s ongoing failure to provide comprehensive information during a meeting on Monday at the Parliament House.

Senator Shahadat Awan pointed out that the Minister had previously pledged to attend the meeting and provide a briefing, a commitment that was not fulfilled. He brought attention to the incomplete records surrounding FIR No. 1/2018, which involves 395 acres of railway land and significant financial ramifications. Awan urged the Committee to address the lack of information and seek an explanation for the delays.

The Committee noted that withholding or misrepresenting information to a parliamentary body is a violation of parliamentary norms. Senator Khan directed that this issue be escalated to the Prime Minister, warning that the Ministry’s reluctance to cooperate hampers the Committee’s oversight duties. He lamented that meetings had been postponed several times at the Ministry’s request.

The members expressed concern about the ML-1 project delay, calling it a matter of national importance that demands immediate attention. Senator Rubina Khalid described the slow progress as alarming and called for swift corrective actions from the Ministry.

Additional issues discussed included deteriorating railway employees’ quarters, high spending on guest houses, and encroachments on railway land. The Committee instructed the Ministry to deliver a detailed report on these issues, along with updates on the Bhalwal tender inquiry and FIR No. 1/2018, at the next meeting.

The Committee unanimously resolved that the Minister for Railways must attend the forthcoming meeting to provide the necessary briefing and honor his previous commitment.