Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that for the first time in the history Pakistan has been strong in defence, economy, and politically democratically.
"Impregnable defence and nuclear deterrence of Pakistan has barred the neighbours from any aggression, and provided it strength in all other fields", he said here on Monday at Rawalpindi Railway while addressing the launching ceremony of 'Buraq Express', a new fast train between Rawalpindi and Karachi. Federal Minister for Railways Rashid Ahmed and State Minister Ali Asjad Malhi were also present on the occasion.
The Prime Minister said that the country's defence "is in safe hands and is capable to give a befitting reply" to any aggression forced on Pakistan. "We have intense desire to live with peace in the region but it is only achievable through powerful, strong and stable defence", he added.
The Prime Minister said that the government had planned a comprehensive strategy for betterment of railways to provide better communication facilities to the people. "Rail travel is considered the cheapest mode of transportation for common man, and the government is committed to make it comfortable for the people", he added.
He said that drastic changes in the railways system would bring positive changes. "Pay structure of the employees has been revised and they would draw their salaries and pension on first day of each month through National Bank of Pakistan", he added.
Shaukat said that the system of freight and passenger trains was also being modernised and, by reducing tariff and enhancing facilities, the railways could attract more and more people towards train travel. He said that all trains would have separate ladies compartments to make the travel for womenfolks easy and comfortable.
He announced that safe and clean drinking water would be available at every railway station at a nominal price of Rs 2 per litre. He also declared provision of free of cost residential accommodation to students and needy people from next months.
The Prime Minister said that as a result of political stability, democracy and democratic institutions in Pakistan have seen strength. "All decisions are being made keeping in view national interests, instead of personal gains. The era of loot and plunder is over now", he added.
"We are committed to eradicate corruption from all government departments and functionaries including Railways to ensure that people could get their due rights", Shaukat said.
Earlier, Rashid Ahmed said that Pakistan Railways has been converted into a profitable entity and in just three months it has earned profit of Rs 350 million. He said that the government is committed to launch 10 'super fast' trains, and 'Buraq' is the fourth of the series.
Railways, he said, has hired 80 buses to take the people from Hyderabad to Karachi because of the collapse of Ran Pathani railway bridge due to recent floods. He said that with decrease of Rs 50 in fare, the Railways had seen 100 percent increase in passenger rush.
The Minister said that the government would provide all international standard facilities to passengers. Water filtration plants would be installed on trains. He said that 5 locomotives are being built in Risalpur Railway Workshop while 150 trains are being built at Mughalpur Workshop.
He said that FWO would double the railway track from Lahore to Karachi in 4 years' period and it would reduce the travel time, besides 46 stops on the track. He assured the Prime Minister that he would abolish corruption from the railways within a short span of time.
The 'Buraq Express', a super-fast train, would reach Karachi in 20 hours, and it would have four stops--at Lahore, Khanewal, Rohri and Hyderabad. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz along with the ministers travelled in 'Buraq Express' from Rawalpindi to Chaklala railway station.