ISLAMABAD: Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmad on Wednesday said Mughalpura railways workshop had been closed till 12th of this month after the emergence of a coronavirus case there.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, he said the workers above fifty years of age at Carriage and Risalpur factories may also go on leave.  

The minister has assured to provide timely salaries and pensions to railways employees despite losses being incurred due to coronavirus. He said Pakistan Railways was facing a loss of one billion rupees per week due to closure of the operations.

He said Pakistan Railways was continuing its freight service.

Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said if the lockdown was lifted, they were ready to immediately operate twenty to twenty-two passenger trains.