Pakistan Railways details journalist and senior citizen concessions
JournalismPakistan.com | Published 1 hour ago | JP Staff Report
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Pakistan Railways told lawmakers it offers major fare concessions to journalists, their families, and senior citizens, with more than 50,000 beneficiaries in recent years and detailed cost data.Summary
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan Railways has confirmed that fare concessions are currently extended only to journalists, their families, and senior citizens, according to information provided to the National Assembly this week. The statement outlines the categories of beneficiaries and the financial impact recorded over recent years.
Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi told lawmakers that accredited journalists receive an 80 percent concession on all trains except the Green Line, Pakistan Business, and Shah Hussain Express, while their family members receive a 50 percent concession. The ministry stated that these concessions aim to support journalists engaged in public-interest duties.
Concessions for senior citizens
Senior citizens aged between 65 and 75 years receive a 25 percent concession in AC classes and a 50 percent concession on selected economy trains. Those above the age of 75 are eligible for one free economy-class journey per calendar year.
Financial impact over recent years
According to the data shared, 44,587 journalists availed these concessions from the financial year 2020–21 to 2023–25, resulting in a cost of 96.6 million rupees to Pakistan Railways. Over the past five years, 9,250 family members of journalists also received discounted tickets, costing 12.7 million rupees.
The ministry emphasized that these concessions are designed to enable accredited journalists to perform their public-interest responsibilities more effectively.
KEY POINTS:
- Pakistan Railways confirmed concessions apply to journalists, their families, and senior citizens
- Journalists receive 80 percent concession on most trains; families receive 50 percent
- Senior citizens aged 65–75 get partial discounts; those over 75 get one free annual trip
- More than 44,000 journalists used concessions from 2020–21 to 2023–25
- Discounted tickets for journalists’ families cost 12.7 million rupees over five years
ATTRIBUTION: Information based on an official briefing to the National Assembly.
PHOTO: APP
