LAHORE: Minister for Railways Khwaja Saad Rafique predicts that no opposition member will resign from the parliament before Jan 31.

“By-election can’t be held if a constituency falls vacant four months ahead of general elections,” the minister told newsmen after a ceremony held on Saturday at Lahore Railways Station to inaugurate the upgraded rake of Allama Iqbal Express.

“The opposition members know that they would be rejected outright by voters in the by-polls,” he responded to a question regarding the announcement of former minister for railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmad at the recent meeting in Lahore to resign from parliament.

He said everyone should respect national institutions.

“Parliament is a sacred institution and cursing it while remaining its member is tantamount to cursing oneself,” said the minister when his comments were sought about the statements of Imran Khan and Sheikh Rashid at the Lahore meeting.

Khwaja Saad also expressed surprise over the statement of former president Asif Zardari to dismiss the government when desired.

“I could not understand in which capacity Mr Zardari has issued the statement,” he said.

Regarding the protest march by a religious leader in Lahore on Saturday, the minister said some people got de-tracked in the last phase of their age. “No one has right to test someone’s faith or to pass judgment about it.”

Earlier, speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the minister said the railways generated revenue from its own resources to upgrade passenger trains and railway stations.

The minister said rakes of Mehran Express, Khyber Mail and Akbar Bugti Express trains would be upgraded till June 2018.

He said 636 coaches of major trains had been upgraded so far. Almost all passenger coaches of trains would be upgraded in the next three years.The renovated and upgraded building of Okara railway station would be inaugurated on Monday (tomorrow).

“Railways had been saved from being privatised. The credit goes to the railways workers and dedicated officers who worked as a team. We took steps to improve punctuality of trains and provided facilities to passenger,” said the minister.Regarding work on Main Line-1 under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the minister said the PR administration did not want any haste in this regard.

He said the railways was only interested in loans with nominal mark-up and long grace period which could be returned easily.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2018