The Supreme Court has ordered the operationalization of the ML1 Project within two years, besides warning the concerned authorities of dire consequences if Karachi Circular Railway was not completed within three months.

A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah heard a case pertaining to the losses incurred by Pakistan Railways.

The court also sought updates regarding the Railway Business Plan, while ordering the authorities to seek police and Rangers’ help to reclaim the illegal occupations.

The apex court ordered the concerned ministry to operationalize Karachi Circular Railway within three months. However, Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid said that it is not possible to complete the said project within the stipulated time while asking the Supreme Court to procure the funds for the railway.

“Don’t be complacent, neither will we let you be complacent; make your men work day and night to get it done otherwise the project will end up in a trash bin. This is your responsibility to run this project, and it is not our responsibility to procure you the required funds, it’s a federal matter,” remarked the indignant Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmad before adjourning the hearing for two months.

Talking to newsmen outside the court, Sheikh Rasheed said that Railway cannot be completely overhauled until the completion of ML1, adding that Wednesday’s decision went in the Railway Department’s favour.

The minister also said that ML1 is the lifeline of Railway, and will be completed in five years, adding that Sindh Government is also cooperating with them.

Sh Rashid said that they will follow the directives of the Supreme Court regarding the Railway projects. However, he added, Railway cannot be completely overhauled until the ML1 is completed, that will be on the approval stage by March.

The minister said that his department could seek the Rangers’ help in order to vacate the 5-kilometre area for Circular Railway in Karachi.

Meanwhile, in Karachi, it was the second consecutive day that saw police operation at Gillani Station for the recovery of the Karachi Circular Railway land.