LAHORE - Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique has reiterated that talks and terrorism cannot go side by side and asked the Taliban to stop terror attacks on innocent people if they want dialogue with the government.
Addressing a ceremony as chief guest here on Monday, the PML-N leader held that all State institutions were in favour of talks with those who stop terrorist activities in the country and ready to lay down arms.
The ceremony was held at Railways Headquarter to honour the heroes of Pakistan who scarified their lives to protect the passengers and State infrastructure.
Khawaja Saad appreciated Pakistan Railways Police for protecting the public lives and saving the Railways infrastructure.
He handed over cheques of Rs 100,000 each to six heroes of Pakistan Railways alongwith shields.
The cheque and shields were given to constables Ibrar Hussain, Noor Abshar and Fawad Ullah for returning cash and valuables worth Rs2.2 million to their owners while patrollers Rasool Buksh, Baacha and Mehboob Ahmad were rewarded for saving the Khushal Khan Khattak Express from a big disaster. Guard of honour was also given to the six heroes of the Railways.
Expressing grief and sorrow, the Minister condemned the terror incident in Islamabad. The participants of the ceremony passed a resolution against the loss of innocent lives in bomb blasts.
The Minister admitted that the Pakistan Railways was facing terrorism but in particular area, however, he said that attacks on the trains had boosted the morale of the PR employees. “We are united against the menace of terrorism. Enemies cannot dent our determination,” he said, stressing the country would soon get rid of terrorists.
He was of the view that the reason behind the attacks on Railways was its green colour, which was finalised by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.