Quetta:Federal Minister for Pakistan Railways, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi on Tuesday said launching of the Jinnah Peoples Train Service marks a significant step toward improved travel connectivity between Balochistan and the Federation, the credit for the realization of this project went to Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and his cabinet.
He said that the Pakistan Railways is an institution belonging to people of entire country, not just any single province or area, and that equal access to railway facilities would be ensured for all provinces.
He expressed these views while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the new Jinnah Peoples Train Service covering a 32-kilometer route held at the Quetta Railway Station.
The ceremony was attended by Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti; Member National Assembly and General Secretary of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Balochistan, Jamal Shah Kakar, Provincial Finance Minister, Mir Shoaib Nosherwani, Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar, Provincial Minister for Construction, Mir Saleem Ahmed Khosa, Provincial Minister for Planning, Mir Zahoor Buledi, Education Minister, Raheela Hameed Durrani, Irrigation Minister, Mir Sadiq Umrani, Food Minister, Haji Noor Muhammad Dumar, Revenue Minister, Mir Asim Kurd Gellu, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, Mir Liaquat Lehri, Parliamentary Secretary, Haji Muhammad Khan Lehri, Assembly members including Dr. Malik Baloch, Malik Naeem Bazai, Syed Zafar Ali Agha, and Mir Ubaid Gorgage, Provincial Adviser, Nawabzada Amir Hamza Zehri, Adviser on Environment Naseem-ur-Rehman Mallakhail, Adviser on Sports, Meena Majeed Baloch, Chief Secretary Balochistan, Shakeel Qadir Khan, Secretary Transport, Muhammad Hayat Kakar, Inspector Gene
ral Police Balochistan, Muhammad Tahir, and other officials and political leaders.
Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said that the turnout, which exceeded expectations, and the enthusiastic spirit displayed by the people at the event were heartening.
He remarked that the Almighty has granted them the courage and strength to speak their minds openly.
He acknowledged the full cooperation extended by the Railway Chairman for this project, adding that, in the presence of the public, the credit for the initiative belongs to Balochistan Chief Minister, Mir Sarfraz Bugti and his cabinet.
The Federal Minister noted that there had been a lack of coordination between the Ministry of Railways and the provinces over the past 78 years, however, measures are now being taken to ensure all provinces have access to railway facilities.
He said that Pakistan Railways would not belong to any single individual or province but to all Pakistanis saying that he had met with Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif regarding this matter, adding that the Prime Minister made it clear that access to railway facilities would be ensured to all provinces.
He expressed pleasure that Balochistan Chief Minister, Mir Sarfraz Bugti and the province of Balochistan were the first to step forward and play their part in this initiative.
Muhammad Hanif Abbasi remarked that this project brought pleasure to every Pakistani including himself who regards all ethnic groups, such as Baloch, Pashtun, Sindhi, Saraiki, and Punjabi, as the crowning glory of Pakistan.
He affirmed that they are ready to sacrifice their lives for those who respect Pakistan, its constitution, and its laws.
He noted that the long history of the railway in Quetta, Balochistan, for the ‘Jinnah Peoples Train’ project, the construction and refurbishment of carriages were carried out at the Railway Carriage Factory in Islamabad, and the project was completed within 120 days an achievement for which credit went to Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and his cabinet.
The Federal Minister for Railways said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif envisions the implementation of the Main Line-1 (ML-1) project, the Prime Minister has also directed the inauguration of a project worth 2.5 billion rupees under the ML-1 initiative, which would commence in Sindh.
He described Pakistan as a beautiful bouquet whose fragrance is spreading everywhere saying that Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti is standing openly at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, no power on earth could defeat Pakistan, we have confronted an enemy many times our size and would soon achieve success against terrorism as well.
Speaking on the occasion, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Mir Liaquat Lehri stated that the Balochistan Chief Minister’s vision for transport is being implemented, and the transport sector in Quetta is being modernized.
Following the Green Bus Service, a Pink Bus Service for women has also been launched, benefiting a large number of citizens.
He added that the government aims to ensure the public derives maximum convenience and benefit from these projects.