Khawaja Saad Rafiq visits Junaid Jamshed’s residence

KARACHI: The Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq on Saturday visited the residence of the late religious scholar Junaid Jamshed and offered condolences to the bereaved family. He said that Junaid Jamshed was a true Pakistani who devoted himself for the cause of Islam.

The minister paid rich tributes to Junaid Jamshed for his services. He also offered Fateha for Junaid Jamshed and other victims of PIA’s plane crash near Havelian. Later, while talking to the media, Khawaja Saad Rafiq said he had family terms with Junaid Jamshed, who had acquired education along with his brother Khawaja Salman Rafiq.

He also said that the investigation into the plane crash is in progress and the cause would be ascertained after the completion of this probe. Humayun Jamshed, the brother of Junaid Jamshed, said that the DNA report would be available in three to four days. He said that consultation was being made with the Muftis regarding the namaz-e-janaza.

On the other hand, while talking about the Railways, Khwaja Saad Rafiq promised that the service structure of the Railways employees would be finalised by the government during its tenure. Speaking at a ceremony at the Loco Shed Cantonment Station here, he declared that he was against the privatisation of Pakistan Railways. He was of the view that we all need to work together for the development of Railways.

The minister opined that the downfall of Railways began some four decades ago in the year 1972 and if one says that everything would be alright in four to five years then this would not be true. “I am not Imran Khan to claim that Railways would be set right in three months time,” Khawaja Saeed Rafiq remarked, adding that at least ten years are required for removing the ills of 40 years. “We have accepted the challenge of rehabilitation and upgrading of Pakistan Railways.”

He said that the Railways’ deficit was being reduced in a gradual manner.Khawaja Saad Rafiq said that Railways residential quarters were being constructed here at the cost of Rs350 million.

He also stated that the present government would award service structure for the Railways employees during its current tenure. The minister was of the view that if the people vote Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to come in power again in the 2018 general elections, the pace of development would be enhanced further.

He said that the success of the game changer China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would also change the fate of the future generation.Khawaja Saad Rafiq was of the view that Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) should have been completed 20 years ago but no government paid attention towards this important project. For the revival of KCR, he assured that complete cooperation would be extended to the Sindh Government.

The minister pointed out that all expenditures were being paid from the revenue generated by Pakistan Railways. He said that no one would be allowed to resort to any black mailing. He also added that no recruitments would be made under any political pressure. He also claimed that pension to retired employees was being made on time.