ISLAMABAD, Jan 05 (INP): Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique has said that China has agreed to provide a long term loan on most favorable terms for the upgradation of Main Line-1 (ML-1) from Karachi to Peshawar.
While addressing a press conference here on Thursday he said that ML-1 is an important component of multi billion dollars China Pakistan Economic Corridor project. He said both China and Pakistan have also established working groups for discussion on upgradation of the rail line. These negotiations will start by the midst of this month.
The Minister for Railways said that three other projects including Karachi Circular, Peshawar Mass Transit and Quetta Mass Transit projects have also been included in the CPEC. He said that the infrastructure of Pakistan Railways will be used for the execution of the three projects. He assured that the federal government will extend full support including technical one for the completion of these projects.
The Minister said that first rail car carrying coals from Karachi will reach Sahiwal by the end of this month which will make Sahiwal coal project functional.
He said that coal project would help reduce electricity shortage.
Saad Rafique said that Kohat- Rawalpindi railway services will be once again functional by this year. This service was suspended due to terrorism and other law and order situation for the last decade.
To a question, the minister said that first component of railway under CPEC will be completed in next five years. He said our first priority connect Gwadar with the National Railways lines. Khawaja Saad said that we are committed to revive Pakistan railways at all cost. INP
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