Pakistan Railways has generated revenue worth Rs 5,269,315 through utilizing its 23 salons and inspection coaches for commercial purposes, during the last three years. According to an official in the Ministry of Railways, the salons are allocated to different dignitaries of the country, including the Prime Minister Secretariat, the Minister for Railways, the Secretary/Chairman of Railways, the Governors of Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab, and the provincial governments. The Principal Officers of Pakistan Railways are entitled to travel at these salons or inspection coaches only when they are travelling on duty.

However, the coaches are also available for private travel on a rental basis. The official said the salons are very luxurious and have two rooms, a bath, a dining area, and a kitchen like a tiny house on wheels with the availability of every facility. Some of these salons are inspection coaches and their back wall is made of glass from where officers could view the track and surrounding area. The official added that Pakistan Railways officers are not entitled to use this facility other than duty and all these salons are mostly 40-50 years old. The revenue generated from the commercial use of these salons has been used for the maintenance and upgradation of the coaches.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)