Rashid challenges Fazl to save occupied land

Railways minister apologises to passengers for shortage of water on trains on Eid


Saleh Mughal June 08, 2019
Railways minister Sheikh Rasheed. PHOTO: FILE

RAWALPINDI: Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has challenged Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to save his alleged occupied land from the authorities, saying that the issue is currently under discussion.

“Protest is the opposition’s right,” said the railways minister while talking to the media at the Rawalpindi Railway Station on the second day of Eidul Fitr on Thursday.

Rashid said, “There is ample supply of diesel but a shortage of water for which I apologise to the passengers.”

He ruled out any increase in the travelling cost of economy passengers despite surge in petroleum prices.

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“As the policy is not save the passengers from any new burden, if any increase is made it will be minimal,” said the minister.

He held meetings with railways authorities as well as the passengers and their relatives who came to see them off at the station. The minister distributed sweets among the travellers at the station to celebrate Eid, saying they were purchased with his personal money.

He said his goal was to bail railways out of crisis and develop it and if he thought it necessary, he will go for issuing railway bonds.

“It is a pleasure that over two million passengers have been served during the Eid season,” said Rashid. “More than 1,400 passengers travelled on each of the express trains during these two days.”

He said the railways department would be improved using its own resources, adding that action against passengers travelling without tickets had been intensified.

“The department has saved Rs30 million during Eid. Important decisions will be taken after Eid,” he added.

He said the past governments paid more interested in purchasing locomotives rather than paying attention to the tracks, adding that had there been more coaches, the situation would have been be far better.

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“An annual report will highlight as to how much deficit has decreased,” said Rashid, announcing that 10,000 would be given through a draw.

On Indian analysis over cut in the defence budget, the minister said, “The country will be stable under a strong economy; therefore, institutions and the nation should not take the Indian analysis seriously as Sheikh Rashid alone is enough to respond to India.”

He said the private companies were eager to supply diesel at a rate which would be Rs1 cheaper, adding that the offer from the private companies was so attractive that he was thinking about cancelling the purchases from PSO.

He announced that the interior ministry would issue a statement about the protests by the opposition parties after Eid.

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