Minister for Railways Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour on Friday informed the National Assembly that 153 trains had been suspended due to shortage of diesel and the railways had no sufficient amount for giving salaries and pension to its employees.

Responding to a calling attention notice of Shireen Arshad Khan and others regarding disconnection of 155 passenger trains causing grave concern among the public, he said, a business plan of Rs 11.1 billion for revival of Pakistan Railways (PR) was submitted to the Cabinet in December last and until the said amount was not received the problem would persist.

He said that Pakistan Railways was currently facing acute shortage of locomotive resulting in delay of passenger trains on major routs and suspension of operation on small stations. During the last 20 years only 60 locomotives were imported and out of which majority were malfunctioning, he added.

He said that Pakistan Railways was neglected in past governments, adding, when he was minister for railways in 1992 its total deficit was Rs 1480 million but now the situation has complicated to a great extent.