PM to inaugurate VIP Jinnah Express on March 20: Sh Rashid

LAHORE, Mar 02 (APP):Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid
Ahmad has said that Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate
a VIP train, Jinnah Express, on March 20.
Addressing a press conference on railways, held at the PR
Headquarters here on Saturday, he said that Thar Express train
left Khokhrapar for Monabao (India) with 600 passengers today
(Saturday) while Samjhota Express train would also be restored
from Monday.He congratulated Railway officers and workers for successful
operation during the current situation, and the railways
picked 25 per cent more passengers during the suspension
of flight operations in the country.
He said that the railways also fulfilled the demand for
the forces during the situation. “We declared emergency in
the railways and increased oil reserves to 30 days with
the support of Finance Minister Asad Umar, who managed
Rs 1.2 billion in this regard,” he said.
The minister said that the railways was going to issue
tenders for ML-1 and Tuftan-Quetta railway track under BOT
(built, operate transfer) basis.
He announced that standard gauge track would be
laid in future. He said that South Asia was improving and
Russia, Iran and Turkey were joining hands for future
development and Pakistan would also join them by connecting
these countries through rail.
Chairman Railways Raja Sikandar Sultan and CEO Aftab
Akbar were also present at the press conference.