Railways explains officials’ visits to China, Japan, US

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways (PR) officials have presented another version of PR officials visiting three different countries, implying that visits to China, US and Japan have no linkage with one another.

PR officials presented the following points regarding visit to China by 62 officials: “PR has an agreement with a Chinese company for the purchase of 58 locomotives. As per the agreement, during manufacturing, a team of inspectors has to inspect the process and afterward the officers and officials have to visit for inspection and training purposes.”

“The delivery of these locomotives is to start by the end of February, 2014. Two teams, one of inspector officers went to China for pre-shipment inspection of locomotives. Another team consisting of 62 officers/officials is proceeding to China in different batches to get maintenance and operational training for these locomotives.

“These locomotives are equipped with modern technology and training of maintenance-and-operational-staff is mandatory for the smooth and successful running of these locomotives in Pakistan. It is also part of the agreement. Out of 62 officers/officials, 34 are BS-16 and below who will perform the operational duties for these locomotives. BS-17/18 officers who have gone for training will supervise the maintenance sheds and training facilities for the staff in Pakistan. No BS-20 or senior officer has gone for one month training for these locomotives. This training is part of the agreement and mandatory for the staff.”

Officials present the following arguments for the visits to US: “PR is purchasing spare parts for the complete rehabilitation of EMD manufactured 27 locomotives and spare parts are to be purchased from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). A contract has been executed with the party and purchase order issued. As per clauses of agreement, officers of Pakistan Railways responsible for this rehabilitation project have to visit for inspection and certification of the equipments purchased before its shipment to Pakistan. The nominated officers are directly related with this project and will proceed to US as per clauses of agreement.”

Regarding the proposed visit to Japan, officials added these points: “Japan through JICA arranges annual country focused training programmes. For the current year a programme with the heading “Country focused training Urban Railway Development, Operation and Management” was arranged. Nominations from Pakistan Railways for seven officers were asked.

KCR is an indirect part of this training programme. Economic Affairs Division (EAD) was informed on February 3, 2014 that due to hectic efforts for the revival of Pakistan Railways sparing of seven officers for the subject training is difficult.

However, two officers i.e. Shamim Ahmad Sheerazi, Managing Director/KUTC and Sheikh Talib Fatah, Project Coordinator/KUTC who are directly responsible for the project KCR were nominated for the subject course.

This training programme is not a part of any agreement with Japan or mandatory under any executed agreement. It is a generalised training programme and is offered every year.”Senior PR officials argue if dynamics of the visits to these three countries is deeply examined it reveals that the visit to China and US are part of the purchase agreement and mandatory for pre-shipment inspection, maintenance and operational training of staffs which is covered as per clauses of the agreements, whereas the visit of Japan is not covered under any purchase agreement of Pakistan Railways with Japan. It is part of the annual training programmes generally offered by JICA.

Officials say this establishes that the visits of officers to three countries have no linkage with one another being different in nature.