Nawaz return can save PML-N from divisions, says Sh Rashid

Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad on Saturday said that PML-N can avoid cracks if Nawaz Sharif returned to Pakistan, adding there would be a surge in the League’s politics if Nawaz Sharif returned on Sept 10, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Rashid Ahmad said that Maryam Nawaz has realized that she will never be allowed to travel abroad, and therefore, the whole scene of hurling stones outside NAB office was created.

Addressing a news conference in Lahore, the minister said that Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif were permanently out of the politics. He said Imran Khan was the only politician now who was fit for politics at both internal and external fronts. He again reiterated that Prime Minister Imran Khan will complete his term.

“They both destroyed the economy and Imran Khan would bring it back on the right track,” he added. “Politics is now confined only to the PML-N leaders’ homes,” said Sheikh Rashid.

He also said that APC was not in sight so far, pointing out that PML-N and PPP would not resign from the parliament. Sheikh Rashid said that Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s politics is only limited to statements, not more than that.

Sheikh Rashid said international tender of Main Line (ML-1) will be issued on September 12.

The CPEC-related project, “Rehabilitation and Upgradation of Karachi-Lahore Peshawar (ML-1) Railway Track” of 1,872 kms aimed doubling of entire track from Karachi to Peshawar, speed of passenger trains to be raise from 65/110km/h to 160 km/h, freight trains to operate at 120 km/h, computer based signaling and control system and grade separation to ensure safety of train operations.

ML-1 track goes from Karachi to Peshawar via Hyderabad, Nawabshah, Rohri, RahimyarKhan, Bahawalpur, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Lahore, Gujrawala, Rwalpindi, Peshwar.

Sheikh Rashid said in the light of the orders of the Supreme Court, the Phase-1 of Karachi Circular Railways (KCR) will be completed by December 30 in which single-track will be placed. “We have received Rs10 billion and so far completed 11km track on KCR,” he further said.

The minister said Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate Panja Sahib Railway Station including newly constructed rest house this month (September).

“The federal government has given the task of transporting wheat and Euro-5 oil to Pakistan Railways,” he said. 

He said the launching ceremony of his book “From Lal Haveli to the United Nations” will be held on September 6 (tomorrow).

Sheikh Rashid earlier in the day presided over the meeting at Railway Headquarters, Lahore. 

The meeting was attended by Chairman Railway Board Habib-ur-Rehman Gilani, IG Railway Arif Nawaz and all concerned officers including CEO Railway Dost Ali Leghari who retired on Saturday. 

The agenda of the meeting included train hours, freight and passenger income, online booking of freight and other important issues.