‘Rahman Baba Express’ train launched

Peshawar: Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Sunday said that anti-corruption measures are necessary otherwise it can damage national foundations. Addressing the launching ceremony of ‘Rahman Baba Express’ train, Minister said that people had not voted for corrupt leaders but for Prime Minister Imran Khan. “People voted for Imran Khan so that corrupt elements can be put behind bars,” he said. The minister said the Rahman Baba Express is a gift from Prime Minister Imran Khan to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Ahmed inaugurated the high-speed ‘Rahman Baba Express’ train to facilitate people travelling between Peshawar and Karachi. The new train service was launched to provide safer and better transport facilities to commuters travelling between Karachi and Peshawar. Ahmed said 20 more trains will be run next year to facilitate the passengers. He said freight trains are being increased to 15 which will boost the economy of the country. He said two VVIPs nonstop trains will also be launched in next two months besides starting three trains for tourists. The minister informed that Jahangira and Nowshera stations will be developed under CPEC. Rehman Baba Express will reduce the duration of travel between Peshawar and Karachi from seven to nine hours, he added. The country’s economy would flourish with this trains service, he said. Passengers traveling via Rahman Baba Express on the first day (today) will be charged half the ticket. He added that three trains would be launched for safari tourism as well.  Three new train services will be launched to facilitate tourists, he said and added they will travel on the routes between Peshawar and Attock, Rawalpindi and Taxila, and Karachi and Keenjhar Lake. He said two VVIPs nonstop trains will also be launched in next two months besides starting three trains for tourists. He said Jahangira and Nowshera stations will be developed under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The Minister also expressed a desire to run a train service between Peshawar and Lahore. He said he had issued directives for removal of all encroachments from railway lands. “If corruption is not eliminated even now, the country won’t move forward,” he asserted, adding, “the people stand by Prime Minister Imran Khan for real change.” The minister said the people voted for Imran Khan to hold corrupt people to account.