ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways has registered 174 first information reports (FIRs) against individuals involved in attempts to illegally occupy railway land, Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi informed the Senate on Friday.
Speaking during the Question Hour, the minister said the department was pursuing a zero-tolerance policy against encroachments and had retrieved land worth billions of rupees over the past two years.
Abbasi also briefed the Senate on ongoing efforts to modernise railway stations in several major cities, including Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi.
He said the process of overhauling locomotives was also underway and would be completed by March 23 next year.
Responding to another question, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhary said government advertisements were issued to fulfil specific public-interest objectives.
He explained that the advertisements aimed to keep citizens informed about government policies, programmes and initiatives, while also promoting Pakistan’s national narrative and interests.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhary informed the House that Rs900 million had been earmarked for the repair of the Hazara Motorway.
During the proceedings, the Senate approved two legislative measures: the Pakistan Study Centres (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
Both bills were introduced by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhary.
Following the passage of the legislation, the Senate session was prorogued.
