QUETTA - Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique said Thursday that anti-state elements spoiling peace in Balochistan for paltry perks through terror activities won’t be spared.
He said, “Militants petrifying the defenceless civilians in Balochistan are actually anti-state and anti-progress elements and their determination of government would not be dithered with such cowardly acts.
The federal minister arrived in Sibi for one day visit where he was accompanied by Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri and other provincial ministers. He inspected various parts of Sibi Station and also visited a bridge at Tandvi and inspected its different parts and talked to engineers.
During the visit of federal railways minister, the project manager Commanding Officer Colonel Umar Farooq, briefing the minister, said that the Sibi-Harnai railway track – being constructed with the cost of 2.4 billion – was 134 kilometers-long whose 70 per cent rehabilitation work had been consummated and this train section would be opened for communication after completing remaining works by the end of next March.
Umar Farooq added this section was affected due to terrorists’ attacks in 2006 and floods and rehabilitation works on it was initiated last year which continues was underway at a rapid pace.
Talking to media persons and after inspection of Sibi-Harnai Railway Section, Saad lauded the efforts of National Logistic Cell (NLC) for the rehabilitation of Sib-Harnai section and pinned hopes that work on this section would be finalized till March.
He said the Sibi-Harnai train section was in final phase of its completion which he attributed to the successful planning of NLC and provincial government which would be restored in April.
Saad added services of fastest trains can’t start between Sibi-Quetta railway track, although, Jaffar Express and Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti Express were up gradated.
The former premier Mian Nawaz Sharif had resolved scores of problems of country and Balochistan and a new sun of prosperity and progress had dawned in the province with game-changer project of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he was reported as saying.
Saad maintained that the people of Balochistan would soon get fruits of prosperity and development.
He went on to say that peace was returning to Balochistan due to successful strategy of federal and provincial regimes and with the cooperation of security forces and patriotic masses.
Saad hoped CPEC and rehabilitation of Sibi-Harnai train line would create ample employment opportunities and this sort of mega projects for Pakistan and particularly Balochistan would play impressive role its progress.
Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, talking to media persons, said that militants blowing up railway bridges would not succeed in their evil designs and pledged that government’s writ would be established.
He also announced Rs1 million compensation for each of the three NLC workers, who were targeted by terrorists during rehabilitation works and a job for their children.
He said the long-lasting demand of people had been fulfilled with rehabilitation of Sibi-Harnai track.