30-car train to be used as isolation centre at Chaman: Sheikh Rashid

Federal Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Saturday said that a train comprising 30 coaches, to be used as isolation center for COVID-19 patients, will depart from Lahore to Chaman on Sunday (tomorrow).

The minister said this while addressing a news conference in Lahore.

Sheikh Rashid said two of the 30 cars will be medical vans having ventilators.

The minister said Railways has been giving Rs12,000 each to every coolie and also distributing 11,000 ration bags among them.

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Sheikh Rashid said he had written a letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan on April 25 stating that the Pakistan Railways was ready to operate 28 trains.

“NDMA has provided us 10,000 masks but we would be seeking more masks, if need arose. There was no delay in any pension or salary on the part of the Railway amid the coronavirus pandemic,” the minister said.

He said people with ulterior motives are targeting the Tableeghi Jamaat members in Pakistan and even in India an FIR had been lodged against the head of the Tableeghi Jamaat.

He asked Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah not to indulge in any fighting in the time of crisis. He said Shehbaz Sharif came to Pakistan with the thought that lockdown would end the government.

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He claimed that Imran Khan would not let go the thieves of IPPs, sugar and wheat crises.

The minister said Pakistan Railways had donated Rs50 million in PM’s Corona Relief Fund.

He praised the Pakistani media and said he had asked the prime minister to patch up with the media. “The media has been playing a tremendous role in awareness against the COVID-19,’ Sheikh Rashid said.