Pakistan Railways has banned air travel for all officials under austerity measures, according to a notification that also stops payments under the air-travel head.
Officials must travel by rail
The same directives ban travel in government vehicles for official tours and require officials to travel by rail. The rules were issued with the approval of chief executive officers and senior general managers.
Safety emergency until 31 December
Separately, Pakistan Railways has imposed an emergency across the department on instructions from Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi to keep train operations safe. Field officers’ leave has been cancelled for three months, and officers have been told to visit the field on Sundays as well.
Civil and Mechanical Chief Engineers will submit daily reports to the ministry on their areas, and daily reports have also been sought from the Head of Safety. The emergency remains in force until 31 December. Abbasi said the government aims to give passengers the safest possible journey.
