Govt can give partial relief to people on ECL: minister

Sheikh Rashid accuses Shehbaz, Zardari of massive corruption

LAHORE: Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid said on Saturday the people recently put on Exit Control List (ECL) could be given a 30-day relief to fly abroad.

“Depending on the requests they made and personal guarantees they provide, they can be given an exemption to fly out to for 30 days, it is a rule,” Rashid told a press conference on Saturday, adding that unnecessary names should be struck out of the ECL.

“As many as 25 people have reportedly flown out despite placed on the ECL, including former finance minister Ishaq Dar. Those who want to go to Dubai or other places can send a request and we will try to give this favour to them only if they assured us that they will come back”.

The minister said stood by his stance the Public Accounts Committee chairmanship should not have been given to Shahbaz Sharif. “I fought the Panama Papers case and I will continue to fight this case of PAC chairmanship in the Supreme Court,” he added.

“I am in this government due to the people of Pakistan and I support Imran Khan, but it’s the Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaf (PTI) decision to appoint younger Sharif, I represent Awami Muslim League,” the minister told reporters. “This is the main reason why Rana Sanaullah is lashing out against me.”

Rashid unleashed scathing attacks on Shehbaz Sharif and former president Asif Ali Zardari, accusing the two of committing massive corruption but he was particularly harsh on the Sharif family. He claimed that Zardari was a beneficiary of Benazir Bhutto’s death.

The minister claimed that he commanded more respect of people as a politician in Kashmir than in Pakistan. “I’m a Kashmiri and I love that part of the world. I enjoy much more respect there than in Pakistan,” he said.

Rashid said that America is considering restoration of good relations with Pakistan and it was due to the brilliance of Prime Minister Imran Khan. “The American government and establishment is considering [normal ties with] Pakistan because of the mature decisions taken by Prime Minister Imran Khan like the opening of Kartarpur border,” he said. “Imran Khan turned the tables on India.”

About the railways affairs, the minister said that the Supreme Court has given landmark decisions which will now help the ministry to execute its pending projects. “We cannot sell railways land now but we can give it on five-year lease. Our entire operation was held up because of this but now [after the court decision] we will float tenders.”

He added that railway would launch its own radio station soon. “Pakistan Railways has a clientele of almost 500 million. We will use this clientele to promote our own FM radio station. “The radio will offer a perfect mix of entertainment and railways news and updates,” he added.