Army Chief's tenure: simple majority required for extension: Rashid

Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said on Wednesday that the government possesses the required simple majority for extension in the Army Chief's tenure.

The minister while addressing an event of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industries (RCCI) and later talking to media persons said if former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif being a culprit can go abroad, former president Asif Ali Zardari being an accused can also travel to a foreign country.

On a question about extension in the tenure of the COAS, he said, "We have the simple majority; however, the opposition must go along."

Addressing the business community during his visit to Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and industry (RCCI), he said the country is heading towards prosperity and progress under the leadership of Prime Minister.

He said that the country's economic indicators are positive. Global institutions have acknowledged the improvement of Pakistani economy. Five major institutions including International Monetary Fund (IMF), Moody's, World Bank, Islamic Development Bank and Asian Development Bank praised the steps taken by the government of Pakistan for economic stability.

He further said that Leh Expressway and Rawalpindi Ring Road are important projects. The 23 km long expressway will be constructed on the build-operate-and-transfer (BOT) basis. There will be commercial centers and plazas on both sides of the expressway, and chamber of commerce can join it, he said. Mother & Child Hospital 80% completed and it will have fourteen operation theaters, he further said, adding it will be the largest state-of-the-art hospital in Pakistan.

The minister offered RCCI to take the dry port management and his ministry will provide all assistance. Railway is also available for cargo handling. Two new universities will be established in Rawalpindi. Railways department is now performing better. There is an increase of 10 million passengers, he claimed.

Later during media talk, responding to a question the minister said that more efforts and work are needed on the Kashmir issue because Maulana Fazlur Rehman's sit-in has put the issue on the backburner.

Talking about Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed remarked that Maulana talked about December which will come after four years.

Responding to Bilawal's rally on December 27 on the martyrdom anniversary of Benazir Bhutto, he said Bilawal will be given a warm welcome in Rawalpindi.

President RCCI Saboor Malik demanded that tourist train be restored from Rawalpindi to Jamrud. Dry Port should be set up in Rawalpindi and completion of the Ring Road and Leh Expressway should be at fast pace. He demanded early shifting of grain market from the city, saying Rawalpindi needs more parking plazas to address traffic congestion. He said that establishment of expo center is need of the hour and suggested if the railway land is allotted, an expo center can be built there as well. He said under the Glorious Rawalpindi project, the RCCI is already working on the city's improvement and beautification.