ISLAMABAD, MAY 16  – “Prime Minister Imran Khan should take a decision regarding the resumption of train services by Monday, otherwise it will be too late,” Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed said.

Addressing the media in Lahore on Saturday, he warned that after Monday, Railway authorities will not be able to control the rush at railways stations across the country because of Eid.

“We have already made bookings of more than Rs2.4 billion and people have been constantly asking us when the service will resume,” Rasheed said, pointing out that if trains are allowed resume, these people will be given priority over others.

“If we are not allowed, we will have to return the money to them,” he said. “The Railways has been in a deficit for more than two months and we are scared of a default,” the minister warned.

Rasheed remarked that in the last two months, more than 10,000 coaches have been repaired. “We have disinfected bogies and even have specially trained staff to ensure precautionary measures against coronavirus are taken.”

Rail is the only mode of transport in the world that has been working throughout the pandemic. “Buses and planes have been allowed, I don’t understand why trains aren’t being resumed,” the minister complained.

He lauded the Railway staff and employees for performing their duties during a pandemic.

Additionally, Rasheed affirmed that he was against any amendment in the National Accountability Bureau Ordinance. “The PML-N and PPP know that NAB will reveal their corruption after July 31 and they are scared now.”

The opposition is just playing games and arrests will now take place after Eid, the minister added.