Train operation to restore from tomorrow: Sheikh Rasheed

LAHORE: Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has said that train operation would be restored from (tomorrow) 10 May across the country.

Addressing a press conference at the PR headquarters, Sheikh Rasheed said that the PR was ready to start its train operation with 30 trains and the federal government was also agreed.

He said that some provinces had opposed it so the restoration of train operation got delayed. “We were operating 142 trains before lockdown, but now we are ready to restore it with 30 trains initially in the first phase,” he added.

Rasheed said that strict action against concerned officers instead of junior staff would be taken in case of accidents in railways in the future.

The minister said that the railways was going to install electricity meters of the Lahore Electricity Supply Company (LESCO) in railway colonies till December 30, 2020, adding that it would be beneficial for both labours and railways.

The minister said that the PR had decided to lessen freight charges by 10 percent on transportation of coal, fertilizers, cement and other products as the rates of sales tax had been decreased. Thus, he added that freight charges of Rs 5000 per container wagon would be reduced after this decision.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan would never leave the culprits of sugar and flour cams after the declaration of the forensic report of the investigation.

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) would emerge as a “Tarzan” after Eidul Fitr and it would bring looters of every party in the court without any discrimination, he added.