–Quarantine train comprising 30 coaches, two medical vans to set off for Chaman on Sunday
–Railways porters to be included in Ehsaas Cash Programme
–Complete train operations could resume after mid-Ramzan, says Rasheed
LAHORE: Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has said that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan will take every looter to task and not spare any plunderer.
Addressing a press conference here at the Pakistan Railways (PR) headquarters on Saturday, he said that the premier has made an example of taking action against without discrimination.
“Ministers including me, if found involved in corruption, will have to face strict action by the prime minister”, he remarked, adding that the credit for investigation reports, including the report on sugar and flour scam, IPP and loan issues, being made public goes to the prime minister.
He said that he always opposed the export of wheat and sugar, adding that Federal Minister Asad Umar was against the subsidy on sugar and the decision was taken in Punjab.
To a question, he replied that the PR is ready to run 28 trains which could be operated from April 25 or May 1 depending on the federal government’s approval; however, complete train operations could resume after mid-Ramzan.
Expressing his faith in the premier, he said, “Imran Khan is playing very sensibly, he has saved the country from default by motivating the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for putting the existing $6 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) on hold for Pakistan”.
However, he told that he had advised the prime minister to improve his relations with the national media as it was playing a vital positive role during the current pandemic.
“I extend my hand of friendship towards media on behalf of the prime minister,” he added.
Rasheed also said that he has appealed to the prime minister to support mosques and seminaries in the country so that religious work might not be disturbed due to the pandemic.
He said the Pakistan Railways is setting off a special quarantine train comprising 30 coaches, including two medical vans for Chaman on Sunday to join Balochistan’s efforts to contain COVID-19.
Further, the Railways department would also deposit Rs50,185,000 to the PM’s Coronavirus Fund in which every railway worker would share one day’s salary and every officer would share three days salary.
“It has also been decided that every Railways porter would be provided Rs12,000 worth fo financial support under the Ehsaas Cash Programme so that their financial burden is reduced; 10,000 porters would be facilitated under the programme,” he added.
“Additionally, salaries and pensions of railway employees would not be delayed for even a day,” he promised.
Moreover, the minister told that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has provided 10,000 masks for porters which would also be distributed among them at the earliest.
To a question, he said that the prime minister would be remembered in the world of politics forever due to his pro-people policies.
Concluding the press conference, the minister advised citizens to be careful. “The government has tackled the coronavirus pandemic effectively but taking precautionary measures is the best solution to this disease,” he said.
