LAHORE,(APP):Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said on Saturday
that no comprise would be made on the violation of Standard
Operating Procedures (SOPs) against coronavirus in trains
and at railway stations.
Addressing a press conference here at Pakistan Railways
headquarters, he said that all divisional superintendents had
been directed that implementation on SOPs was their responsibility.
He said the PR was reviewing trains schedule to facilitate more
citizens across the country, adding already operating trains
were being allowed to make stopover at 13 more railway
stations where the number of rail passengers was much more.
He announced to attach one more passenger coach with each
train of 40 trains being operated by the railways and said that
no train would be allowed to run with less than 17 coaches to
facilitate more passengers by keeping committed occupancy
of 60 per cent.
He said that earlier, it was decided to restore 10 more trains
but after observing the COVID-19 situation in the country, the
decision was postponed for a month.
The minister also announced to open all current reservation
and booking offices across the country and said the decision
was taken after demand by rail passengers who were unable
to use online system of booking.
He said that all divisional superintendents had been directed
to ensure maximum recovery of tickets and collection of revenue.
To a question, the minister said that earlier, the railways had reduced
fare by 10 per cent and now again the PR was going to reduce its
fare by 10 per cent due to decrease in fuel prices .
Talking about the politics, he criticised the opposition and said that
there was no role of opposition in the politics of the country as the
leadership of opposition was struggling to protect their corruption
and facing cases in the National Accountability Bureau ( NAB) Courts.
He reiterated that Prime Minister Imran was committed not spare any
looter of national exchequer, and expressed his hope that soon the
forensic report of the flour scam would be presented to the cabinet
meeting.
To a question, he said the government would follow the verdict of the
Supreme Court on Pakistan Steel Mills, adding that no decision had
yet been made to sack any employee of Steel Mills.
To another question, he said that India should avoid any misadventure,
otherwise, there would be no option for Pakistan to give a befitting
response, which would be the last war.