PM Imran inaugurates four new trains
Khan says train is the main mode of transportation for poorer and weaker segments of society
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government will make appointments on merit to improve governance and transparency.
Addressing after the launching ceremony of four trains in Islamabad on Friday, the prime minister said that public sector enterprises have become loss making entities due to political interventions and appointments made on personal connections in the past.
He said each year a loss of Rs500 billion accrues in these organizations. In power sector alone, the losses have reached to an amount of Rs1200 billion.
PM Imran said that ultimately it is the people who have to pay more for goods and services in order to compensate for the losses of public sector enterprises.
He urged the Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed to get rid of employees who were appointed on political basis in previous governments and are not contributing positively to the department.
Khan went on to say that train is the main mode of transportation for poorer and weaker segments of society for commute and it will be improved.
Lamenting the lack of attention on this important sector by previous governments, the premier said that the railway tracks had become old and outdated, posing danger to the trains.
“Incumbent Railways Minister is taking personal interest to improve the tracks and condition of trains, so that people travel comfortably and on time to their destinations,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid said that his ministry has achieved first 100-days target of starting ten new trains well ahead of the deadline.
He said that Pakistan Railways has earned additional revenue of over 1.5 billion rupees in last 80 days, adding that two freight trains will be started on December 25, which will further contribute to enhance railways income.
The four trains inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan, include Sindh Express from Karachi to Sukhar, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai Express from Karachi to Mirpur Khas, Faislabad Express and Rehman Baba Express from Peshawar to Karachi.
Sindh Express will cover the stations like Karachi Cantt, Landhi, Hyderabad, Tandu Adam, Shadadpur, Nawab Shah, Khairpur and Sukkar. Its ticket for economy class is 470 rupees.
Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai will cover Karachi City, Landhi, Dhabeji, Hyderabad and Mirpur Khas and its fare will be 190 rupees.
Faisalabad Express has been stretched to Multan and now its route includes Multan, Khanewal, Shorkot and Faisalabad. Its economy class fare till Multan will be 260 rupees. Rehman Baba Express will start plying soon.
