Railways may resume train service from 25th: Rashid

RAWALPINDI: Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Tuesday said Pakistan Railways may resume its train service from April 25.

Talking to media after visiting quarantine centre, established at Rawalpindi Institute of Urology (RIU), he said Pakistan Railways might run limited trains by maintaining social distancing among the passengers and keeping them in isolation from April 25 to May 1. The railways minister said a unanimous strategy was required under the current circumstances.

He said the provision of relief to the people, affected by the lockdown in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, was government's top priority. He said unfortunately six patients lost their lives due to coronavirus in the district, adding out of 190 patients who were admitted in different hospitals 55 patients recovered and had been discharged. “We have six ventilators,” Sheikh Rashid said while responding to a question about the facilities being extended to the patients suffering from deadly virus.

He said, “Over Rs50.1 million has been donated by the Railways employees in the coronavirus fund. ” He also urged Sindh government to release the violators of Section 144. Sheikh Rashid A said that coronavirus in Pakistan is ‘completely under control,’ and Pakistan will overcome the coronavirus pandemic through national unity.

Talking to private news channel, he said government under leadership of Prime minister Imran Khan is taking every step to protect public's lives and will win battle against COVID-19. He further explained the situation that shopkeepers, especially those who are earning their bread by running small shops, are the most affected financially because of the country-wide lockdown.

“Small-scale shop keepers are dying of debts. They don’t generally own shops and buy daily items on loan,” the federal minister. “Markets are filled with professional beggars but it is these ‘white collar’ people who are in genuine need, but can’t be reached.” He was in favour of opening those manufacturing units whose products are being sold at the shops that have been reopened. If tailors are allowed to resume work, textile manufacturing units shall also be reopened, he demanded, added, they are facing huge financial losses.