PML-N leader and former Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq has demanded judicial inquiry of train accident in Ghotki leaving at least 42 passengers dead and over 100 injured, reported 24News HD TV channel.  

Addressing a press conference in response to the government’s criticism on Monday, Saad Rafiq said that the government had cut down the development budget of railways by 60 percent. He said no one was taking care of the restoration and maintenance of railway tracks. He said Ghotki track project was the priority of the PML-N government. He said the project was not started so far despite the passage of three years. He said the federal ministers were criticizing him which was a condemnable act. He said they were asked to resign on such an incident during the PML-N government. 

The PTI government has destroyed railways like the other national institutions, he said. “The situation of railways is bad now. Even if you ask me to make it right, I will not touch it,” he said.  

Responding to a question about his NAB cases, he said, “We do not change our ideology and that’s why our issues could not be resolved. But I am not afraid of anything, they can do whatever they want to do.”

He said he had heard that there was hesitation from the Chinese side to release funds for the railway-related projects because they did not want to release funds to these incapables rulers. He said Pakistan railways was not the priority of this government.