LAHORE – Federal Minister for Railways, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad on Saturdaysaid Railways would soon introduce a giftscheme on tickets as few airlines give to their passengers.

Addressing a press conference here at the Pakistan Railways headquarters,he said railways would soon launch two VVIP state-of-the-arttrains, wherein facilities and cleanliness would be providedlike any five star hotel.”We are inviting Prime Minister Imran Khan for inaugurationof Lahore Railway Station’s main hall and new trains,” he added.

The minister said tracking system would soon be installed in the railwayengines.

Talking about the cleanliness in the trains and at railwaystations, he said divisional superintendents would be responsiblefor cleanliness, catching ticket-dodgers and establishment ofpharmacies at Pakistan’s 24 big railway stations.He informed that Rohri Railway Station would be modernisedin line with the Sindh culture, besides construction of a Shoppingplaza and a restaurant over there as it was the railway stationwhere stoppage of trains was higher in numbers as compare to anyother railway station in the country.

Rashid said that PR had earned Rs 30 million in the form offine and fare from ticket-dodgers just in a week.

He said police were being given authority to checkthe passengers in non-stop trains and at railway stations.

He also warned Special Ticket Examiners (STEs) not tohelp any ticket-dodger, otherwise they would be rusticatedfrom service, adding, the DS concerned would supervise the matter.

The minister informed that 41,000 more tickets had beensold in a month after round the clock opening of reservationoffices.

He added that now passengers could purchase ticketsthree month in advance.

Later, talking about the politics, he said that 2019would be the year of Pakistan’s progress under the leadershipof Imran Khan .

To a question, he said there was no future of Sharifand Zardari family in the national politics.”Today or tomorrow every one has to face accountabilityprocess,” he said.To another question, the minister said, how could a personchair the Public Accounts Committee who was facingcorruption charges.”I am writing a letter to the Prime Minister that Ishould be made member of the PAC to face Shehbaz Sharif,”he added.

To another question about the ailment of Nawaz Sharif,he said his sickness meant, he was seeking NRO.