Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmad has said that three trains including Lasani Express, Jinnah Express and Fareed Express will be outsourced soon. The minister was addressing a press conference at the Railways Headquarters here on Saturday. These three trains Lasani Express running between Lahore and Sialkot via Narowal, Jinnah Express running between Lahore and Karachi and Fareed Express running between Lahore and Karachi will be outsourced.
Six freight trains will also be handed over to private firms, he added. Rashid claimed that only the trains running in deficit would be privatised. When asked, he said railways earned Rs 400 to 500 million more than corresponding period of last year.
In response to another question, he said coronavirus would never affect China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Main Line (ML-1) project would progress according to the schedule.
Commenting on the political leadership of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-N, the minister said these parties had lost their position in the national politics. He said PML-N leader Maryum was just demanding to travel out of the country.
Sheikh Rashid offered eight railways hospitals and 36 dispensaries to the provincial health departments for setting up isolation wards for effected patients of corona. He also said,"We are talking to World Bank for rehabilitation of railways hospitals. We are also considering running the hospitals with the help of private sector," he added.
He said railways had taken precautionary measures against coronavirus and all divisions had been directed to ensure proper cleanliness at all stations. He said no train was being shutdown and all 134 trains will remain operational to facilitate passengers. He said few cases of coronavirus had been registered in the country and all these cases had history of recent travel to other countries.
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