CHAPTER-I

Operation Unit
1.Directorate of Information Technology:

Information Technology (IT) sparks on image of use of computers and

transmission of information. The term information technology has ballooned to
encompass many aspects of computing and technology, and the term has
become universal. IT professionals perform a variety of tasks related to data
management, networking, engineering computer hardware, database and
software design, besides management and administration of entire systems.

In Pakistan Railways, Directorate of Information Technology is located in

Headquarters office, Hameed Bin Badess Road (old Empress Road), Lahore with
its divisional hubs in eight Divisions. The main function of this Directorate is to
maintain the running applications and to automate the main core activities of the
Pakistan Railways.

The software projects are designed to meet with the information needs of
Managers which could help them make timely and accurate decisions. The
overall scope of the MIS project includes development and implementation of
functional modules on the pilot sites and replication of the same all over the
Pakistan Railways in a phased manner.

Computerization in Pakistan Railways traditionally covers customer

related applications, like Pakistan Railway Reservation & Ticketing System and
payroll, financial management, inventory etc. The software application
development standardization has been introduced with the implementation of
ORACLE database software environment.
Networking Methodology
Pakistan Railways has LAN/WAN connectivity for implementation of MIS
developed applications at all important locations including Divisional
Headquarters. The connectivity is based mostly on UTP cabling within the
building. Forty locations of Pakistan Railways have been interlinked through
PTCL fiber optic cross connect DXX circuits. The LAN of Reservation offices
have been connected with WAN cloud provided by PTCL. Internet facility has
also been provided by using DSL connection from PTCL of 1 MBps bandwidth.
This facility has also been extended to Lahore, Workshop Division and Dry Port.

Operational Projects
 Store Inventory System
The computerized applications of Store Inventory and Accounting System
of Pakistan Railways have been running in COBOL since long. This
software application has now been planned to be revamped with the latest
software, hardware and networking tools and techniques.

 Reservation & Ticketing System

This project is operational at 40 locations of Pakistan Railways network.
The automation has reduced the practice of ticket less traveling.
Moreover, it has increased the revenue earning due to introduction of
advance facility of return reservation. Other stations will be coupled in the
chain of computerization on the requirement of Commercial department.

 Fare Management System

This Software has been designed to cater the needs of Commercial Department
for day to day change in the fares at a short notice. This product is implemented
at IT Directorate. Now fare for all classes of all trains can be updated as and
when required by the Commercial Department.
 Reservation through Credit Cards.
To facilitate the traveling passengers, this electronic facility has been
introduced at Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi Reservation Offices. Now
the passengers can get their destination tickets by using their credit cards.

 Online Train Tracking System.

In order to locate the position of the train in real time Pakistan Railways
has taken in hand the project of Online Tracking with the collaboration of
EGD. This project will not only enhance the efficiency of Pakistan
Railways but also will help the management and staff in pointing out the
operational problems and constraints. The information driven out of the
system will also update the public about the train arrival and departure at
different stations.

 Oracle Collaboration Suite.

Pakistan Railways has deployed the latest office management tools
named OCS (Oracle Collaboration Suite) widely and extensively used
world wide. The focus area of OCS is email sharing, Calendar, Audio
Conferencing, Voice mail and Fax. This software helps the management
to schedule the activities in an organized way. At present mail box
capacity has been fixed as 20 MB for each user, which may be enhanced
depending upon the user’s usability.

 Website
Pakistan Railways Web Site (www.pakrail.com) is available to public world
wide. The main features of the site includes:-
 General Information about Railways.
 Tender advertisements,
 Latest news.
 Job opportunities.
 Seat availability
 The revamping processes of the website is in final stage and this site will
be available to public with new look. Website would also be incorporated
with management reports for official use in secure mode.

 Payroll
At present the automate payroll is being used for employees of Pakistan
Railways. Payroll System since its deployment has been generating
monthly pay slips along with connecting accounting reports from the
Railway Headquarters Office, Lahore, Divisional Headquarters and extra
divisional office. On the request of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)
income tax reports are also generated from the Payroll System.

 Statistical System
The Software developed by this Directorate has been deployed in the
Statistical Section, which is part of this Directorate. Statistical branch is
meant to compile figures of revenue/earnings and operational data. In
order to process these figures instantaneously, five computer terminals
have been installed in this department with necessary networking
equipment for Electronic Data Processing. Now the concerned staff of this
section can independently process the reports as per requirement of the
management.

 Revenue Department
The automation of the revenue department is in final stages. At present, all major
modules have been deployed in the user premises on trial basis. The
development work on the rest of automation is in progress and after full
implementation; project would facilitate management in efficient decision making.
 Video Conferencing System
Remote conferencing to one or more specific sites with the ability to send
and receive both vision and audio live has been deployed at Headquarters
Office, Lahore where Principal Officers may participate and share their
ideas mutually in real time. This facility has been extended to Ministry of
Railways and is in process of extension to the Divisional Offices. This
project leads to idea of virtual office, which is latest technology in office
automation.

 Help Desk
The Directorate of IT in Pakistan Railways is providing help desk to its
users in Headquarters office, Divisions and extra Divisional Offices. A
typical help desk has several functions. It provides the users a central
point to receive help on various computer issues. The help desk typically
manages its requests and allocates the resources accordingly. It is the
central area for end user support. It is offering specialist advice to
customers or users who have problems, especially with computer
equipment or systems.

 GP Fund
Software for General Provident Fund (GPF) has successfully been
developed and now it is in Quality Assurance Phase. This system has
been developed indigenously by the IT Directorate. It has been deployed
at Karachi Division for proper testing and justifying the business
processes. The observations and objections pointed out by audit
department in the form of audit paras have now been addressed after its
automation. This will be replicated very soon in the other Divisions of
Pakistan Railways as soon as the testing phase is over.
 Upcoming Projects
The following are the projects which are in pipeline:-
 Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
 Purchase
 Inventory
 Asset Management System
 Maintenance Management System
 Electronic Document Management System
 Human Resource Management System
 Fuel Management System
 RFID Based Freight Wagons / Freight Management System.

Future Projects
 Up gradation of Reservation & Ticketing System
 Automation of Railway Police
 Access Control through Turnstile
 Revival of e-Ticketing System
 Computerization of new Reservation Office at Lahore.

Management Services Cell

The Management Services Cell previously known as
Organization and Method Cell was initially set up on Pakistan
Railways in November, 1964 to stream line bottlenecks/delays,
ensure better utilization of manpower and cutting down
unnecessary expenditure. This Cell is also responsible for
scrutiny of all proposals for creation of new posts, extension of
temporary posts, transfer of posts from one cost centre/unit to
another cost centre/unit, placement of temporary posts on
permanent footings, filling up of vacant posts and conversion of
posts etc.
The recommendations made by this Cell are normally examined by a
committee of Senior Officers of Finance, Management Services Cell
and the concerned Department to decide as to which of the
recommendations are to be accepted. A proper follow up and
subsequent periodical review of the recommendations accepted by the
above mentioned committee and approved by the competent authority,
is made to ensur the proper implementation.

As a result of an exercise "Restructuring and Rightsizing" of Pakistan

Railways was finalized during March, 2003. A Book "Restructuring and
Rightsizing March, 2003" was issued containing revised sanctioned strength of
each unit for reference and authentic record.

Group Terms Insurance Scheme:

The Group Terms Insurance Scheme (Welfare Fund) was
introduced in 1969 to provide insurance coverage to the families of
Pakistan Railway Servants dying in service. No recovery towards
insurance premium is made from the Railway's employees working in
BSP-1 to 15 and the financial burden to the tune of Rs. 17.297 million
on this account was borne by the Railway Administration during the
year 2008-2009.

I n s u r a n c e c o v e r a g e t o t h e
h e i r s o f t h e d e c e a s e d w h o
a r e r e g u l a r P a k i s t a n
R a i l w a y s E m p l o y e e s i s a s
u n d e r : -

PAY RANGE SUM ASSURED

Pay Rs. 1501 and above Rs. 45,000.00

Benevolent Fund Scheme:

(i) The Benevolent Fund Scheme was introduced with effect from
01-07-1969 for the benefits to the invalid Railway Servants as
well as for the bereaved of the deceased Railway employees
 who die in service or before
attaining the age of 70 years (in the case of retired ex-
employees). They are paid grant out of Benevolent Fund
according to the various pay slabs (minimum Rs. 270 and
maximum Rs 1620 per month) for life time or the date of
remarriage of the widow. In addition burial expenses at uniform
rate of Rs. 3000 is also being paid to the families of Railway
employees who die during service.

(ii) Monthly contribution towards Benevolent Fund by the regular

Railway Servants is being recovered from their salary bills as
under:-

 Employees in BS-1 to 16 3% of pay with a maximum

ceiling of Rs. 200 per month
 Employees in BS-17 to 22 4% of pay with a maximum
ceiling of Rs. 300 per month

(iii) During the year 2008-09 a sum Rs. 157.734 million was paid to
the beneficiaries towards monthly grants out of Benevolent Fund.
These grants are met with from the monthly contribution by
Railway Servants as well as profit on investments, rent from plot
at Sukkur and rent from Pakistan Railway Servants Benevolent
Fund Building, 1-Allama Iqbal Road, Lahore.

Railway Employees' Co-Operative Credit Society:

During the financial year Jully, 2008 to June, 2009 the Pakistan
Railways Employees Co-operative Cradit Society, Limited, Lahore,
entertained 6081 Applications for Loan and Advanced a sum of Rs.
94.566 Million to the Railway Employees, while in the corresponding
period, payment of Loan to Railway employees made was Rs. 92.485
Million, thus attaining an increase of 2.25% in the Fiscal year 2008-
2009.
Statement showing the amount of Loan Advanced during
the Year 1-7-2008 to 30-6-2009:

S
No. Month & No. of Loan Amount
Year. payments. Advanced.
1. 7/2008 465 Rs. 7551163-00
2. 8/2008 520 Rs. 8466688-00
3. 9/2008 622 Rs. 10227550-00
4. 10/2008 380 Rs. 5973911-00
5. 11/2008 588 Rs. 9100114-00
6. 12/2008 466 Rs. 6928721-00
7. 1/2009 458 Rs. 6955770-00
8. 2/2009 482 Rs. 7083623-00
9. 3/2009 504 Rs. 7594463-00
10. 4/2009 518 Rs. 7936308-00
11. 5/2009 517 Rs. 8034879-00
12. 6/2009 561 Rs. 8713641-00

Total:- 6081 Rs. 94566831-00

Directorate of Legal Affairs

1. Pakistan Railway is a large organization and Directorate of Legal Affairs was
established in year 1999 to deal with all kind of Court cases i.e. Civil, Criminal,
Service matters, Contractual obligations besides vetting of important contracts,
agreements and other important issues arising out of rival litigations. The
Directorate of Legal Affairs is also dealing with the Compensation given to simple
injured, grievous injured and legal heirs of deceased passengers in Railway
accidents.

2. A full time Director Legal Affairs is working enthusiastically,

proficiently to suitably improve efficiency in administrative and legal works.
3. Selection for appointment of Legal hand staff as Litigation Assistant
is under process which shall improve the efficiency of directorate.

4. Computerization of legal work has been completed and file work is

now being finalized most promptly.

5. During the current year, large number of Court cases have been
decided in favour of Railways due to coordination between the
concerned branches, and expertise of legal and other staff.

6. Further efforts are being made to minimize the litigation cases by

supervising the proceedings at different levels.

7. To have a strict check on divisions, position of Court cases is being

obtained on weekly, monthly basis to examine the loopholes,
performance of RCL's etc.

Directorate of Property and Land

Directorate of property and Land is responsible for managing the real estate
owned by Pakistan Railways. Its performance can be viewed from the following
parameters.

Target V/S Sundary Earning (Directorate of Property & Land) for the Period
01-07-2008 to 30-06-2009.
S. Divisions Target Earning upto Shortfall Excess Remarks
No. 2008-09 30-06-2009 (Rs. in (Rs. in
(Rs. in Million) (Rs. in Million) Million) Million)
1. Peshawar 40.000 42.953 __ 2.953
2. Rawalpindi 60.000 12.647 47.353 __
3. Lahore 140.000 95.088 44.911 __
4. Moghalpura 20.000 8.835 11.65 __
5. Multan 120.000 57.043 63.677 __
6. Sukkur 35.000 25.559 9.441 __
7. Karachi 65.000 69.930 __ 4.930
8.
Quetta 20.000 15.343 4.657 __

Total 500.000 327.398 181.689 7.883