Railways incurring Rs 1 billion weekly loss: Rashid

Federal Minister for Railways, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad Wednesday said that the country-wide lockdown was unlikely to end on April 14.

Addressing a press conference, the minister said that Railways was incurring loss of more than Rs1 billion each week due to the lockdown.

"It does not seem the lockdown will ease by April 14. If the lockdown ends and the prime minister allows, Railways will resume 22 trains," he added. The railways minister said that freight trains were being operated as planned.

He also confirmed one coronavirus case in Mughalpura Railways Workshop, which had been closed till April 12.

Over 10,000 people work in the workshop. The minister said that workers over the age of 50 could go on leave after submitting application to their supervisor. He further said that next 15 days were important for controlling the virus. Speaking about the measures taken by Railways to combat the spread of the coronavirus, the minister said they had set up quarantine stations at every station.

To a question over wheat, sugar inquiry report, Railways Minister said that the fate of all those involved behind flour, sugar scandal would be decided after the release of a detailed inquiry report on April 25.

The minister dismissed reports of a rift between sugar baron Jahangir Tareen and Prime Minister Imran Khan, insisting that Tareen was an important member of the party and would remain so.

"Jahangir Tareen is an important member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). I don't think there are differences between him and the prime minister," he said.

Imran Khan has made it clear that he will not spare those responsible for the sugar and wheat crisis in the country earlier this year, he added.

"In the past, many had benefited from subsidies provided. When the forensic report will be issued on April 25, everything will be in front of everyone," the Railways minister said.

"The premier is the captain and changes the positions of his fielders as per the country's conditions," he said, in reference to the recent changes made to the federal cabinet.

He further said that the news about coronavirus was forgotten in the country and instead attention was turned to the wheat and sugar report.