PM saved country from default by motivating IMF: Sh Rasheed

Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad has claimed that Imran Khan saved the country from default by motivating International Monetary Fund (IMF) for putting on hold the existing six billions dollars extended fund facility (EFF) for Pakistan.

While talking to media here on Saturday at Pakistan Railways Headquarters, he said "credit goes to the prime minister that every investigation report was getting public including report on sugar and flour scam, IPP or loan issues."

"Ministers including me, if found involved in corruption, will have to face strict action by the prime minister," he claimed.

He said the PR was setting off a special quarantine train comprising 30 coaches including two medical vans for Chaman, Balochistan on Sunday to join the efforts against the Covid-19.

He said Railways was also going to deposit Rs 50,185,000 to the Coronavirus Fund established by the prime minister, adding that every Railway's worker would share one day and every officer would share three-day salary in the fund.

He said it had been decided to give Rs 12,000 from Ehsaas Cash Programme to each of Railways porter so that financial burden on them could be reduced and 10,000 porters would be facilitated.

The National Disaster Management Authority had given 10,000 masks for porters which would also be distributed among them, he added. He said that salaries and pensions of the PR employees would not be delayed even for one day.

To a question, he said that Prime Minister Imran Khan would be remembered for ever in the world of politics due to his pro-people policies. He said the government had tackled the coronavirus pandemic effectively but opting precautionary measures was the best solution of this disease.

When asked, he said the PR was ready to operate 28 trains which could be operated from April 25 or May 01 after the approval of federal government however complete train operation could be restored after Ramazan 15.

He said that he always opposed the export of wheat and sugar, adding that Federal Minister Asad Umar was against the subsidy on sugar and the decision was taken in Punjab.