Daily Times

Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed on Saturday criticised the government’s act to concede Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairmanship to former Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif adding that it didn’t send a good message to the masses.

Addressing a press conference in Punjab province’s capital, the minister said that the government’s decision to concede PAC chairmanship to Opposition Leader in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif sent a wrong message as “people wish to see dishonest people to meet their end”.

“If Shehbaz Sharif is honest then I think none in Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is dishonest,” said the minister while answering a question.

About the opposition’s protest over non-issuance of the production order of another PML-N Leader Khawaja Saad Rafique, the minister said that the opposition’s objection is not justified for he has himself served jail time while being an MNA in the past.

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government conceded the chairmanship of PAC to PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, almost three months after a deadlock with the opposition over the key position.

A number of PTI leaders had earlier termed the suggestion as billi ko doodh ki rakhwali pe lagana (trusting a person with vested interest in charge).

About the performance of railways, the minister said that his ministry is struggling to save Rs 1 billion by constructing petrol pumps owned by Railways.

The minister also announced to introduce the long-awaited tracking system in trains and said that the facility will be available in 10 to 15 days in all trains.

He added that his future plan for railways include introduction of technology in control rooms and elsewhere alongside upgrading the trains to provide better food to the passengers. He added that his future plan for railways include introduction of technology in control rooms and elsewhere alongside upgrading the trains to provide better food to the passengers.

Published in Daily Times, December 16^th 2018.