Opp leaders demand Sheikh Rasheed’s resignation over trains’ collision
ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Reacting on today’s accident between two trains near Sadiqabad, the opposition leaders expressed sorrow over the loss of life in train’s collision and demanded resignation from Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed.
Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto expressed their grief over casualties and offered condolences to the families of victims.
The opposition leaders said weak railway tracks and defected planning are becoming the causes of accidents. They also expressed reservations for accidents one after another, adding that the inquiry should be held on this matter.
In a statement, Bilawal Bhutto demanded resignation from Sheikh Rasheed as railways minister, terming that train incidents have become a routine and the minister is unable to deal with it.
“Shaikh Rasheed should resign until the inquiry of the incident is completed,” Bilawal asked.
The minister further said all assistance will be provided to the families of the deceased and the injured. He also announced compensation of Rs1.5million for the heirs of the deceased and Rs0.5million for the critically injured of the mishap.
The railways minister added that there is a lot of corruption in railways which will take time to eliminate. “Complete investigation is done into accidents. After the train accident in Hyderabad two section officers were given a notice while two others were dismissed from the department,” he added.
Earlier today, at least 16 people were killed and more than sixty injured when Quetta bound Akbar Express collided with a goods train at Walhar near Sadiqabad on Thursday morning.
Sheikh Rasheed orders high-level probe in Sadiqabad train accident
Expressing his grief over the deadly train collision in Sadiqabad, Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed has ordered an high-level investigation into the incident.
In a statement, Rasheed said, the train accident occurred due to human error and said he has ordered an investigation into the incident.
According to the details garnered, the rescue operation is underway. Hydraulic cutters have been called at the site to retrieve dead bodies. Injured are being shifted to the hospitals of Sadiqabad and Rahim Yar khan.
The passenger train was going to Quetta from Lahore when it collided with a goods train standing at Walhar Railway Station. The sources said that the engine of Akbar Express was completely destroyed in the accident while three bogies were also damaged, resulting in death of 10 persons while many others sustained injuries.
