Federal Minister for Pakistan Railway Sheikh Rashid Ahmad has said Pakistan would be linked with Europe via Quetta, Iran, Taftan and Istanbul through railway track in the coming three years and pilgrims would be able to reach Saudi Arabia to perform Haj via train.
While addressing a press conference here at Railway Headquarters, he said the customers would get tickets through Credit Cards throughout the country and thus one person would be able to get 10 tickets from one Credit Card simultaneously. He further said that all facilities of the international standards would be provided to the passengers of Pakistan Railways within 60 days.
The minister said the complaints offices at the railway stations would be opened to redress the problems of the passengers. He further said that computerised booking facility for goods transportation would also be provided. He said all the hurdles in the way to sale out. The unnecessary property of Pakistan Railway, would be removed with immediate effect and the signal system of the railway would be improved to insure the smooth and steady operation of the trains throughout the country.
Sheikh Rashid said double track would be laid down from Gujranwala to Lahore and Faisalabad to Lahore to facilitate passengers to save time. Trains would not stop at small stations and shuttles trains would be launched in these areas for the better facilitation of the local passengers, he maintained.
He said special funds had been demanded from the federal government in the coming budget for rebuilding and maintenance of historical workshop of Pakistan Railway situated at Mugulpura.
President or Prime Minister would soon visit to inspect the workshop. He said the inquiry regarding the Karchi Club and Lahore Railway Farm scandal was going on, and after the final report, it would be brought to light within 24 hours and strict action would be taken against the culprits, he pointed out.
Rashid said there were no differences between MQM and the government and what happened in Karachi on May 12 was regrettable. "MQM is the strong political party of Karachi, allied with the government. Its political strength can not be ignored, he explained.