Khawaja Saad Rafique gets a month to submit reply in Railways losses case

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court of Pakistan on Saturday granted former minister Khawaja Saad Rafique a month’s time to submit a reply in a case pertaining to monetary losses suffered by Pakistan Railways, ARY News reported.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar conducted hearing of the case in apex court’s Lahore registry and demanded reply from the former railways minister over the audit report citing billions of losses in the department.

The PML-N leader, who served as Railways Minister during his party’s government till 2018, demanded a month’s time to study the audit report of the Railways department to submit a formal reply which was granted by the court.

As CJP asked PML-N leader if he had read the audit report, Rafique said the report is too long and he is contesting by-polls too so he needs time.

The former minister also complained that he is being insulted despite working day in and day out to bring stability to the department.

“I am not an accountant, I cannot respond to this audit report. Please tell me where does the report mention me,” the former minister demanded upon which the judge asked him to “leave his arrogance at home”.

On April 7, the top judge had taken a suo motu notice of alleged Rs60 billion corruption in the Pakistan Railways. The top judge had also summoned railways minister, secretary and board members along with the audit report.

A week later, the apex court had ordered the complete audit of Pakistan Railways during the case hearing.

During the case’s hearing on April 28, the Supreme Court sought a report on the losses incurred by Pakistan Railways. The report found that losses of Pakistan Railways stand at Rs40 billion.