LAHORE: Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid says he will ensure filling of 10,000 vacancies in accordance with rules and regulations after consulting the authorities concerned.

He predicted more arrests by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the next 15 days.

“I am not a child. I don’t want to face the NAB and will start the recruitment process for getting 10,000 vacancies, especially of grade 1 to 5, filled after clearing the issue of balloting from the law ministry, the prime minister and the Establishment Division,” he said when asked to explain whether or not the cabinet decision of filling thousands of vacant jobs (grade 1 to 5) in all ministries and departments including the Pakistan Railways through balloting was lawful.

Predicts more arrests by NAB

“The decision to fill jobs through balloting was taken by the cabinet. I was disturbed to see many temporary / daily wage staff at the washing line. So we have decided to send a summary to the government for confirmation of these workers,” he said.

Asked about the arrests of Asif Ali Zardari, his sister Faryal Talpur and Hamza Shahbaz, he said his prediction about the action against these politicians in June came true.

“In the next 15 days, there will be more action,” he said. He said the cases against Zardari were of serious nature and same is the case with Shahbaz Sharif.

Speaking about the development work, he said the railways had decided to launch a high speed train from Rawalpindi to Karachi via Lahore on a BOT (Build, Operate and Transfer) basis.

“After launching 35 passenger and four freight trains, we are all set to run a high speed train on the main line on a BOT basis. Various parties are in contact with the PR in this regard,” he claimed.

He said the PR’s new command and control system was in final stage through which people could check the movement of the passenger and freight trains from their homes.

“The PR is also set to outsource its train timing inquiry and booking system to UPhone. Moreover, 74 trackers are being installed to monitor the trains’ operation,” he said.

The minister said the prime minister would inaugurate Sir Syed Express train in Rawalpindi on June 30.

As for the situation of the fuel stock, Mr Rashid requested the media to avoid airing misleading news on this issue. “At present, we have fuel stock for 21 days though we should have a seven-day stock according to railways book.”

He said he had decided to float tenders for the third time for the procurement of the new passenger coaches and goods’ wagons. “We have also started gathering 200 old coaches and wagons in Harbanspura so as to refurbish and put these at the disposal of division superintendents for using them in emergency situations (derailment, accidents etc). Besides, we have started work to manufacture coaches and wagons on our own,” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2019