Decision to run trains after meeting with PM: Sh Rashid
May 17, 2020 04:41 PM
Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed on Sunday said that the final decision on resumption of train services will be made by Tuesday after meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Talking to newsmen in Rawalpindi, Sheikh Rashid said that if the final decision would not be taken by Wednesday then Pakistan Railways will start refunding tickets worth Rs230.2 million it has sold to passengers.
The minister said that If Karachi railway operations would not be resumed then it will become a “problem” for the Sindh government.
He said 50 percent revenue of Pakistan Railways earned from Eid holidays. Pakistan Railways will provide pensions and salaries to its all staff and pensioners before Eid, he added.
Sheikh Rasheed questioned that planes and buses have been allowed what Pakistan Railways have done wrong to anyone?
He said that if the train operations would not be resumed there are fears of more loss to Pakistan Railways. “We are now at no profit any loss in our operations,” he added.
Passengers have bought tickets worth Rs230.2 million online and Pakistan Railways would have to return the money if the operation would not be resumed during the Eid holidays.
Sheikh Rashid said trains have been disinfected properly and measures have been taken to combat the COVID-19 while special guards will be deployed to protect the trains. “We appeal passengers to take all the measures and implement the SOPs to prevent the spread of virus,” the minister said.