LAHORE: Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmad counseled the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led federal government on Saturday to remove names of those individuals from the Exit Control List (ECL) who are “not so important” with reference to fake accounts case.

On the recommendation of a joint investigation team (JIT) probing into the fake accounts, the government had placed the names of as many as 172 individuals on the ECL some days ago.

“I think the government should remove unnecessary names from the ECL. The government is also empowered to allow someone, whose name is on the ECL, to leave abroad for 30 days subject to provision of certain guaranty,” the minister said while responding to the media queries at a press conference here at the Pakistan Railways Headquarters on Saturday.

“There are various precedents of influential people fleeing abroad despite the fact their names were on the ECL. Salman Shahbaz has fled already. Hamza Shahbaz too was trying to flee, but he was barred from travelling abroad by the airport authorities,” he added.

Talking about the ongoing probes initiated by the National Accountability Bureau and other institutions into various cases, Rasheed claimed that “all” would be taken to task before March 30.

“I am still sure that there would be a complete sweeping before March 30, as whosoever (whether from the PML-N, PPP, PTI etc) facing probe in any case would be taken to task, surely subject to proving of charges,” he said while responding a question.

Talking about the PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah’s recent tirade against him, the minister termed the former Punjab law minister a “stinking and sycophant” politician. “You know why he (Sanaullah) is speaking against me this way? He is just criticising me because I have decided to challenge appointment of Shahbaz Sharif as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee in the Supreme Court. But I am not bothered, as I will go to the Supreme Court by all means and no one can stop me from doing so by targeting me,” he said.

He claimed the country would soon be out of financial crisis, as the major countries, especially the US were talking about improving relations with Pakistan. “With the support of army chief and under the leadership of Imran Khan, Pakistan is heading towards prosperity. It would soon come out of the prevailing financial crisis. Even US President Donald Trump is now talking of having good relationships with our country. Iran, China, Russia, Turkey and others too want excellent relations with us,” he argued.

“On the other hand, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being criticised. Trump has even talked about Modi’s library (in Afghanistan),” he said.

The minister termed Shahid Khaqan Abbasi an “LNG thieve” and predicted that the former premier would be in jail soon.

He claimed that he would achieve his target of launching 20 new freight trains, two VVIP passenger and some economy class trains by the year end.

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2019