TAXILA: Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, while commenting about the current political situation, said everything will be clear after Feb 20.

He expressed these views while talking to the press after his visit to the newly-renovated Hassanabdal Railway Station. The station was established in 1893 and Rs260 billion have been spent on its renovation.

The month of January, he said, will be important in the political history of the country as all those who plundered the national wealth will face consequences. The minister, popularly known for making political predictions, said all political parties would be “sized” before Senate elections and former prime minster Nawaz Sharif’s politics in Pakistan is over.

He said Nawaz’s speech at the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) rally was irresponsible as he spoke against national institutions. In March 2021, the prime minister will win by a majority in the Senate, he said, adding all three major political parties of PDM have their own narratives as do not agree on a single agenda.

The PDM poses no threat to the present government and it will complete its five year term.

Responding to a question, he said the tender for ML-1 will be complete by the end of this month. Online bookings for freight trains has begun and the schedule for passenger trains has been restored, he said, adding the technical allowance of 31,000 workers and mileage allowance for drivers has been increased.

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2020