LARKANA, June 22: Inaugurating Qalandar Express, a new train from Larkana to Karachi, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Saturday night urged the Pakistan Railways authorities to introduce more such trains in Sindh to facilitate commuters.

With lower air-conditioned facilities, Qalandar Express would shuttle between Larkana and Karachi with few stops and cover the distance of 453 kilometres in 10 hours.

He said if railway service was brought at par with coaches, the passengers would prefer to travel by trains as it was the safest and easiest mode of transport.

He said both Asif Zardari the co-chairperson of PPP and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gillani had taken interest in starting this train as the slain leader Ms Benazir Bhutto had desired for it.

He said previous governments had ignored Larkana and deprived it of almost all facilities. He said communication was the tool to development and the present government had focused on taking pro-people measures and added that remote areas were being focused in this regard.

Speaking on the occasion Sindh Law Minister Ayaz Soomro, who had filed a constitutional petition in Sindh High Court Larkana circuit for starting fast train service between Larkana and Karachi, announced its withdrawal. He asked the railways authority for reshaping its policy with the concentration to improve its service on neglected sections.

The General Manager of Pakistan Railways, Asad Saeed, called for providing security to the railway staff so that service could continue in a smooth way.

Later, the chief minister launched a book ‘Jhamoriat ki Naveed’ of Sarmad Chandio published by MPA Munawwar Ali Abbasi on Saturday night at SZABIST Larkana campus. While announcing Rs25,000 for the poet, the CM stressed the need of supporting literary activities and appreciated the efforts of the MPA.

The chief minister also participated in a programme held by Larkana PPP to pay homage to the leadership of late Ms Benazir Bhutto marking her 55th birth day.

Our Khairpur correspondent adds: Addressing pubic gatherings in Drib Mehar Shah, Pir jo Goth, Saddar ji Bhatiyoon and Piryaloi on Sunday, the chief minister said that his party stood by its slogan of “Roti Kapra aur Makan and pledged to implement Benazir Bhutto’s five-point agenda.

He said that PPP did not come into power through back door but through people’s power.

Referring to Kingri, he said that people of this area have been ignored for the last 12 years and compelled to bow down but the world has changed now. He said that his government had focused on improvement of health, education and wanted an end to unemployment. He saluted the people of Sindh and said that despite police pressure and harassment, they fulfilled the promises made with Benazir Bhutto.

The Sindh CM said that the shortage of irrigation water in Sindh would end soon and pledged to utilise all the resources for the poor.

During his visit, he also announced to upgrade High School Wada Mahessar to the level of higher secondary school.