Daily Times

KARACHI: Pakistan Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said on Friday that the Federal Government Inspector of Railways (FGIR) will investigate and submit a report on the collision of two passenger trains in Karachi within eight days.

While addressing a press conference in Karachi Press Club, he sympathised with the grieving families. He also thanked those political leaders who visited the hospital to inquire about the health of the injured.

He said that the decision about who was responsible for the railway incident will be made after FGIR report. However, he said that the systems were fine.

He said that Railway system in Pakistan is very old, but we are modernising it despite limited resources. He said that when he became Railways Minister, the railway was in debt of Rs 32 billion, which now stands at Rs 27 billion.

The minister said that soon people will be able to travel from Karachi to Lahore within 11 to 12 hours as a computerised system is being installed.

He said that Pakistan’s economy depends on Karachi as it is the main city of our country. But Karachi’s infrastructure is disastrous. There are crumbling roads and there is trash everywhere.

“It necessary that Sindh Government takes urgent actions for progress of the city,” he suggested, adding that Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah should be given full power as he is making serious efforts to develop Karachi.