Recorder report

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Wednesday inaugurated Sir Syed Express, a non-stop train from Rawalpindi to Karachi, to facilitate passengers and earn revenue for Pakistan Railways.

Addressing the launch ceremony at Rawalpindi Railway Station, Prime Minister Khan emphasised on curbing financial corruption in all institutions of the country, saying nobody will be given ‘National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO)’.

The Prime Minister congratulated the Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on the occasion and expressed hope that Pakistan Railways will continue becoming better and a profitable institution.

Prime Minister Khan said that the railways provides the best and the easiest mode of transportation to common people. He said that civilised societies always focus on improving their railways systems. He said that the government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China regarding ML-1 to upgrade Pakistan railways’ tracks. He said that there will be a huge investment in Pakistan with the completion of ML-1.

The Prime Minister said that it has always been his priority to uplift the poor classes of the country, adding that his government has started ‘Ehsaas’ programme for the purpose.

Responding to Rashid’s offer of reserving 1,000 stalls at various railways’ stations across Pakistan for the beneficiaries of ‘Ehsaas’ programme, Prime Minister Khan said that those stalls will be allotted to the needy through a transparent balloting.

The Prime Minister lauded Rashid for his successful efforts to reduce Pakistan Railways’ deficit from Rs 36 billion to Rs 32 billion in just nine months. He said that unfortunately, corruption of previous governments of Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz ruined state institutions. The Prime Minister said that previous governments plunged the country into debt trap and the poor became poorer, adding that he will not offer any kind of leniency or an NRO to those who looted the national wealth of Pakistan. Reiterating his stance on corruption and those found involved in corrupt practices, he said, “We will not spare those who have looted and plundered the country,” adding that the government will not come under any sort of pressure. Taking a jibe at the opposition, the Prime Minister said if those who are decrying vendetta over corruption inquiries and arrests return half of the amount they looted from the national exchequer, it would bring the country out of present economic situation. The criminals should be treated as criminals and no special treatment should be given to them, he added.

He further said that opposition is calling it a political victimisation, adding that he had been politically victimised when he was talking about the Panama Papers. The non-stop train will be seen operating on the Rawalpindi to Karachi route via Faisalabad. “Sir Syed Express aims at facilitating the passengers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir who travel towards Karachi and other southern cities of the country,” according to PM Office. Sir Syed Express will offer facilities including in-house television, wi-fi, cabin service, on-wheel restaurant, bedding, sound system and accessories kit.