Daily Times

Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed on Tuesday remarked that Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed should have resigned after a train inferno left 70 people dead near the city of Liaquatpur last year, a private TV channel reported.

The top judge made the remarks while hearing a case related to financial deficit of the railways department. The minister appeared in court on behalf of the governmental entity.

A three-member bench of the top court, comprising Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, conducted the hearing into the case.

“Can you tell us about the progress you have made in the case? All your records are in front of us,” the CJP said while addressing the minister during the hearing. “You should have resigned after the train inferno left 70 people dead,” he said, addressing the minister. “Seventy people were burned to death. What is the progress of the investigation into the case?” he asked.

“We have acted against 19 people in the case so far,” the minister told the top judge. However, CJP Gulzar asked Sheikh Rashid why the inquiry into the accident has been limited to low-level employees. “You sacked the gate-keeper and the driver. When will you act against the top officials involved in the incident?” the top judge asked. In his reply, Sheikh Rashid assured CJP Gulzar of action against top railways officials.

“Can you tell us why action should not be taken against you for the train accident that left over 70 dead? You are the top-most official after all,” the top judge said after hearing the reply from the minister. “In my opinion, Pakistan Railways should be closed down. It is better that the department be closed down rather than letting it run the way you are running it,” the top judge said in his remarks, addressing Sheikh Rashid.

The court asked the minister to submit in court within two weeks a comprehensive plan to make the railways profitable. The court also asked for an update on the up-gradation of railway tracks.

The bench summoned Minister for Planning Asad Umar to answer questions about the ML-1 cross-country railway project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as well.

The court, before adjourning the hearing into the case till further notice, warned Sheikh Rashid that if the plan to turn around the railway department was not complied with, a contempt of court proceeding would be launched against the minister.

Sheikh Rashid, while talking to reporters after the court hearing, said his ministry will abide by instructions of the Supreme Court in improving the affairs of Pakistan Railways. “We are thankful to Supreme Court for taking up this matter. We shall proceed forward in light of its instructions. We shall also request the court to settle the stay orders issue,” he told reporters.

“We shall honour the court instructions. Even if the chief justice desires my resignation, I will abide by him,” he said, answering a question about the audit report of the department that had incurred the displeasure of the court.

The top court had on Monday observed that Pakistan Railways is the most corrupt institution of the country. The observation was made during a hearing of the case pertaining to the deficit-ridden governmental body. A three-member bench of the apex court headed by CJP Gulzar had observed that it was very dangerous to travel in railways, adding the whole institution was engulfed with politics.

Hours after the Supreme Court rebuked Sheikh Rashid, a senior officer was suspended on Tuesday in connection with the deadly Tezgam Express incident. “In the wake of fire incident of 7-UP (Tezgam Express) on 31.10.2019, with immediate effect and till further orders Mr Jamshaid Alam, a BS-19 officer of Railways (Commercial & Transportation) Group, presently working as Deputy Divisional Superintendent/Passenger/Karachi is placed under suspension,” said a notification issued by the Railways Ministry on Tuesday.