PM assures govt will maintain merit in all depts

Also launches four new train services; lauds railways ministry

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said nepotism and corruption had marred government institutions and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government is pursuing policies of merit and transparency in recruitment process throughout all government departments.

Addressing the launch ceremony of four new trains here at the PM Office, the prime minister said it is the people who bear the brunt of corruption and political appointments. He unveiled the plaque to launch Sindh Express (Karachi to Sukkur), Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai Express (Karachi to Mirpur Khas), extension of Faisalabad Express from Lahore to Multan and Rehman Baba Express (Peshawar to Karachi).

The ceremony marked the achievement of the Ministry of Railways target to launch 10 new trains within first 100 days of the government by using the local resources and manpower. The ceremony was also attended by Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Information Minister Fawad Hussain Chaudhry, Advisor on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam and Special Assistants to PM Iftikhar Durrani and Naeemul Haq.



Prime Minister Imran lauded the Railway Ministry for increasing revenue by Rs1.5 billion within three months. “The uplift of railways is vital for being transport of the poor,” he said adding that countries like China excelled because they invested in welfare of the poor and that was also the concept of State of Madina, he added.

“China made history by steering 700 million people out of poverty within just three decades and Pakistan would soon emerge as among world's biggest economic powers,” the premier said, adding all policies of the incumbent government revolved around the welfare of the common man.

He said unfortunately, no previous government ever focused on the expansion of railway track since the inception of Pakistan and it was for the first time that a government is bringing investment to the railways.



The prime minister also told the gathering that after completion of ML-1 project, travel duration from Lahore to Karachi would reduce to eight hours.

He said the government had maintained the confidentiality of bilateral agreements with China however enemies perceived the magnitude of the cooperation and attempted to sabotage it through an abortive terrorist attack at Chinese Consulate in Karachi. He paid homage to the security forces which thwarted the attack and blocked entry of terrorists inside the building.