LAHORE - Former Railways Minister Kh Saad Rafiq on Monday demanded judicial inquiry of Ghotki train mishap that left more than 50 dead and over 100 injured. 

Addressing a press conference at Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Secretariat Model Town, he accused the government of slashing development budget of Railways by 60 percent. PML-N stalwart said that Railways was not priority of the present regime as no one was paying attention to important task of restoration and maintenance of tracks.  “PML-N government planned restoration of Ghotki track. Work on this important project has not been initiated so far”, he said, adding, instead of accepting negligence, the federal ministers were criticizing him which was a condemnable act. 

He recalled that the present rulers were used to demand resignation of federal minister on such mishaps in the past. Now, he said, they (rulers) were accusing the previous government for these accidents.  He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan led government has destroyed Railways like the other national institutions.  He said that the situation of Railways was so pathetic that no one would be ready to take the responsibility of putting it on right track. 

“If you ask me to come forward, I will not take the responsibility,” he said. He said that China was not ready to release funds for Railways related projects due to incompetence of the present rulers.  “I have heard that Chinese side is reluctant to release funds for the Railways projects due to incapables rulers”, he said. 

He accused the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) of serving as a tool for political victimization.  “Our cases could not be resolved as we are not ready to change our ideology and loyalty. We are not afraid of anything. They can do whatever they want to do,” he said.