'Pakistan's Rail Link with Europe via Iran on Cards'
'Pakistan Times' Punjab Bureau

MULTAN: Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed here Saturday said that the government was considering to link Pakistan with Europe through Iran by rail.

Talking to newsmen after addressing a gathering of station masters and labourers of Pakistan Railway, the Minister said he would visit Iran next month to sort out the issue.

He said at the moment some 300 trains are operating while out of these only three or four are running into loss. These will be halted, he added.

To a question relating to South Waziristan peace pact the Minister said it has been very successful.

He said Pakistan won’t allow anyone to launch military operation inside its territory. Whatever action is thought necessary would be taken by Pakistan itself.

Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said Jirga is the only traditional way to resolve issues and defuse conflicts in tribal areas.

The Federal Minister said Benazir is admitting that there have been contacts between the government and her party.

He said Nawaz Sharif has no role to play in Pakistan’s politics. He can only come to Pakistan on transit for his onward journey to Saudi Arabia, he observed.

About the next general elections he said these will be held during the current year. These will be completely transparent and foreign observers would be free to travel to Pakistan to monitor the elections, he said.

The Federal Minister for Railways said a Deluxe train service is being launched between Lahore and Rawalpindi from next month.

Addressing the convention of station masters and labourers Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said he has taken the Railway ministry as a challenge and would overhaul its whole system.

He said Pakistan Railway’s potential has not been tapped to the optimum level. It can bring an economic turnaround and prosperity but it continued to be ignored in the past.●