Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways is offering a 50 percent concession in rail fares to facilitate disabled persons traveling in all express and passenger trains, except the Green Line.
“The concession is granted upon the presentation of the Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) bearing the disability logo,” an official in the Ministry of Railways stated. He said that a 50 percent discount is also offered to the attendant accompanying visually impaired persons. About the facilities at Railway Stations and Reservation Offices, he said that wheelchairs are available at all major stations to assist disabled passengers.
Additionally, the official said that exclusive reservation and booking counters have been designated for disabled persons at reservation offices. The free-of-cost access to executive washrooms and restrooms has been provided at a few major stations for special persons.
The official said that the facility of executive washrooms at 12 major stations is also being developed and will have free access for disabled passengers.
To a question, the official said that Khushal Khan Khattak Express was discontinued in March 2020 owing to COVID-19, as train operation was suspended. He said that Pakistan Railways is operating 98 trains on a daily basis with 1,180 serviceable coaches. The department owns 1,680 passenger coaches on books out of which 72 percent of coaches have surpassed their useful life.
The official said the overage coaches require extra resources, and maintenance costs to keep them fit for operation. At present, 2 Up and 2 Down trains are running between Peshawar and Karachi, he added.
He said that two passenger trains Bolan Mail and Monjodaro Express are operating on the Larkana section to cater to the transportation needs of the area while the restoration of Khushal Khan Khattak will be examined once the availability of coaches is improved along with consideration of the operating cost and commercial viability.
AIOU extends enrollment deadline till 5th
ISLAMABAD: Allama Iqbal Open University(AIOU) has extended the enrollment deadline for its continue students till December 5.
According to the AIOU, due to the recent law and order situation, some students of the University were unable to enroll themselves.
They requested the Vice-Chancellor to provide them a special chance to enroll and save their semester from being wasted.
In response, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Nasir Mahmood approved an extension of the enrollment deadline to December 5.
He emphasized that students’ semesters will not be wasted under any circumstances.
Continuing students enrolled in Associate Degree, BBA, BS (ODL Programs), B.Ed., and Postgraduate Diploma programs can now complete their enrollment by December 5. –Agenicies
