After suspending Samjhauta Express, Pakistan on Friday announced to shut down Thar Express, another train service for India, as Islamabad has downgraded its diplomatic ties with New Delhi. Addressing a press conference, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed announced that after suspension of train service of Samjhauta Express, the government has decided to shut down Thar Express. He said the decision to shut down Samjhauta Express was taken after approval from the Prime Minister. This comes in reaction to the Modi government's decision to scrap special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir.
Sheikh Rashid said Samjhauta Express was shut down on Thursday last and Thar Express train service would be suspended at Friday midnight. Thar Express, which plied between Pakistan and India would be the second train service that would be shut down by Pakistani authorities, the minister announced.
Thar Express is a weekly train that runs between Munabo in Barmer district of Rajasthan and Khokrapar in Pakistan. Only one train would run from Mirpur to Zero Point from now onwards, he added. Rashid vowed that train services would not be restored until he remained the minister for Railways. The minister said Thar Express track would be now used for Thar coal power plant project.
Commenting on India's move, the minister said India had violated the UN resolutions on Kashmir dispute by stripping its special status. "We do not want war, but if war is imposed, we will give a befitting response," he continued.
Sheikh Rashid said those who would not support Kashmiris in their struggle for freedom would be called as traitors. He also announced to visit Azad Kashmir after Eid-ul-Azha.
Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said 1800-kilometer long track of ML-1 project would prove to be a milestone in strengthening and stabilising the country's economy. He said the ML-1 project would also address the issues of railways mishaps.
Pak-China friendship is higher than the Himalayas, said the minister, adding China would provide total funding of the project. He said that some bureaucrats had hands off due to National Accountability Bureau fear. However, Prime Minister Imran Khan himself had called Planning Ministry officials and directed for clearing the ML-1 project from CDWP and ECNEC within 15 days.
The minister claimed that revenue of Pakistan Railways had increased by Rs 12 billion.
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