ISLAMABAD: Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique on Wednesday announced a reduction in rail fares ahead of Ramzan.

"A twenty percent reduction in fares for all classes of all Pakistan Railways trains will be applicable from Ramazn 1st till Ramzan 20th," Rafique announced.

The minister said that the pays and pensions of railway staff have been increased by Rs20 billion, and also demanded that railway police's compensations should be at par with the provincial police.

"Pakistan State Oil and Pakistan Railways have agreed on a five-year fuel transportation agreement," he announced, stating that the former will be liable to transport two million tonnes of oil through Pakistan Railways.