Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, Russia to be connected thru rail link: Sh Rashid

LAHORE: Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad has said Pakistan Railways will connect Iran, Afghanistan Turkey and Russia through rail link.Addressing labourers at Railways Workshop at Mughalpura here on Saturday, he said Turkey and Iran had also assured Pakistan Railways of cooperation for its upgradation.While announcing Rs3,000 bonus for each railway labourer on behalf of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the minister said the premier would inaugurate Jinnah Express on March 30. He said Pakistan Railways was the only institution which offered 10,000 new jobs, while no other department had done so. He termed Pakistan Railways backbone of the country’s economy.The minister said Pakistan Railways was badly neglected in the past and Rs2 billion were spent on railway stations which did not need that much money. “There is a need to upgrade Lahore, Karachi and other big railway stations,” he added. He said Pakistan Railways would be purged of corruption under the leadership of Imran Khan. He said Lahore was the heart of Pakistan Railways and its railway station would be made the best in the country.Meanwhile, talking to the media after meeting PM Imran Khan at the Chief Minister’s House, Sh Rashid said the premier had no threat from the opposition, adding that the government had offered every kind of health facilities to former PM Nawaz Sharif.Answering a question about expected meeting between PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Nawaz Sharif at Kot Lakhpat Jail, Sh Rashid said the corrupt people were joining hands and added they would be more exposed now.The minister said he had apprised the prime minister of his recent visit to Iran, which had assured of cooperation. He said there was possibility of a contact between PM Imran Khan and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani soon.

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