Punjab CM rules out forward block in PML
Bureau Report

LAHORE—Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi while referring to some spats of press reports that forward block within the ruling PML was emerging, informed that these so-called forward blocks have no room in politics and will not serve the nation.
“Forward blocks have no role in politics rather blocks should be formed to facilitate the quake-stricken masses of AJK and NWFP,” Pervaiz Elahi expressed these views while talking to newsmen after the launch of ‘Cargo Train Express’ here Tuesday.
Expressing satisfaction that the reforms process, which the present government initiated in all the fields including Pakistan Railways has started bearing fruit, he underscored.
He hoped that the newly introduced ‘Cargo Train Express’ would play an important role in the promotion of trade and commerce. Federal Minister for Railways, Mian Shamim Haider also spoke on this occasion.
Among others who attended the function, included Federal Secretary and the Chairman Railway Board, Shakeel Durrani. He noted that the industrial field was making rapid progress in the country adding that almost a billion dollar’s investment had been made in cement industry in Chakwal only.
He predicted that the trade activities would multiply merely with the provision of better transportation of raw material. He pointed out that the development of means of communication was extremely important in gearing up the pace of domestic and foreign investment.
Pointing out that the privatization of the railways was on cards during the previous regimes and the closure of the same was being feared but the present government making use of better planning, brought gradual improvement in this organization. He said fundamental measures were being taken to bring about improvement in the Railways Department under the leadership of Federal Minister, Mian Shamim Haider. He went on to say that as a result of these measures the lost confidence of the masses on the railways, was getting revived.
On this occasion the Chief Minister accompanied by Mian Shamim Haider, inaugurated the Cargo Train Express starting its engine and visited various parts of the train.
Federal Minister for Railways Mian Shamim Haider also expressed the hope that the Cargo Train Express would provide cargo facilities not only to the traders community but would generate revenue as well.