Sheikh Rashid should have resigned after train inferno left 70 dead, observes CJP Gulzar.

ISLAMABAD -- Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Gulzar Ahmed on Tuesday remarked that Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed should have resigned after a train inferno left 70 people dead near the city of Liaquatpur last year.

The top judge made the remarks while hearing a case related to the financial deficit of the railways department. Ahmed appeared in court on Tuesday morning on behalf of the governmental entity.

A three-member bench of the top court, comprising CJP Gulzar, Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, conducted the hearing into the case on Tuesday.

"Can you tell us about the progress you have made in the case? All your records are in front of us," CJP Gulzar said while addressing the minister during the hearing today.

"You should have resigned after the train inferno left 70 people dead," the top judge said, addressing Ahmed. "Seventy people were burned to death. What is the progress of the investigation into the case?" he asked.

"We have acted against nineteen people in the case so far," the minister told the top judge. However, CJP Gulzar asked Ahmed why the inquiry into the accident had been limited to low-level employees.

"You sacked the gate-keeper and the driver. When will you act against the top officials involved in the incident?" the top judge asked. In his reply, Ahmed assured CJP Gulzar of action against top railways officials.

"Can you tell us why action should not be taken against you for the train accident that left over 70 dead? You are the top-most official after all," the top judge said after hearing the reply from the minister.

"In my opinion, Pakistan Railways should be closed down. It is better that the department be closed down rather than letting it run the way you are running it," the top judge said in his remarks, addressing Ahmed.

The court asked Ahmed to submit in court within two weeks a comprehensive plan to make the railways profitable. The court also asked for an update on the up-gradation of railway tracks.

The bench summoned Minister for Planning Asad Umar to answer questions about the ML-1 cross-country railway project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as well.

The court, before adjourning the hearing into the case till further notice, warned Ahmed that if the plan to turn around...