PTI needs a year to wipe out corruption: Rashid

Says media is independent but not cooperating with govt

LAHORE: Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government needs at least one year to clean up the mess created by its predecessors.

“Hundred days are not enough, since matters are so much complicated and things pertaining to looted money are not that easy to proceed with,” said Rashid while addressing a press conference on Saturday.

He, however, said that by March 2019, a clear situation will be visible, based on which things will be streamlined. “It is not so easy to bring back looted money, we are hearing that few countries have agreed and the looted money parked there will be brought back soon, though the amount is not that big to make a significant impact.”

The railways minister stressed that Prime Minister Imran Khan was working hard to put the country  back on track and a recent example of his commitment was the ‘most successful China visit’, terming the development hard to be explained in words.

“The visit was the most successful ever made by any politician, we have gained considerably, results of which will come later,” he said, adding that previous rulers only got dollars but “we are also working on other currencies”, referring to a recent agreement between China and Pakistan to trade in the Chinese currency.

The railways minister announced he would soon meet Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal to talk about fast-tracking pursuit of three mega corruption scandals involving the department.

“The railways management is chasing three cases since years, where contractors are allegedly blamed for embezzlements in original contracts and other fraudulent activities,” he said, adding that the ministry wanted to speed up these pending cases which had caused losses of billions of rupees to the organisation.

“Contractors acting like mafias have not only encroached precious railways land but are also not paying a single penny, while hiding behind court orders,” he lamented, announcing that he would personally ask the CJP and NAB chief to accelerate the proceedings against these parties.

Moreover, according to the federal minister, a Chinese delegation is coming to Lahore in coming days to discuss modalities of the Main Line One. The scheme will cover many issues; it will add speed to tracks and fencing them will ultimately save railways properties.



“My wish is that this project should be given to China as they are our iron brothers and understand the CPEC well,” the minister said, adding that the final call on awarding the contract would be made later. The final decision will be taken by the prime minister himself as without his consent the railways cannot award such an important contract, which will also help in creating employment opportunities.

Meanwhile, talking about his meeting with former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar, Rashid said he didn’t see the estranged leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) joining any political force any time soon.

“An express train never waits for passengers, he didn’t come on board at the right time, else he would have been joined by at least 40 powerful politicians,” said the Awami Muslim League chief, adding that now Nisar was neither joining the PML-N nor any other party.

“Media in Pakistan is not friendly with us, though our Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry is making serious efforts,” remarked Rashid. He, however, refuted allegations of media censorship, saying, “Media is independent, censorship is altogether a different game.”