Pakistan and China have signed a framework agreement for up-gradation of Karachi-Peshawar Railway Line (ML-1) besides Karachi circular railway project.
This was informed by Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad While talking to reporters at railways headquarter after returning back from china. According to the agreement, China would provide soft loans, coaches, locomotives, rolling stocks, up-gradation of Walton Railway Officers Academy, re-modeling and installation of automatic signal system and doubling of tracks.
It will bring more than one thousand billion rupees investment to the country during the period of five years. National Railway Administration (NRA) of China and Ministry of Railways Pakistan has signed various projects of railways development. The minister said that a modern signal system will be installed and fence will be placed along the railway tracks near the populated areas to avert accidents.
Giving details of various MoUs signed between both the countries, he said Pakistan did not agree with China on the selection of project management consultant (PMC) for the development project of railways. “Rather we suggested appointing project management consultant (PMC) through international competitive bid and the process will be started at the end of this year.”
Saad said the Asian Bank has also offered to give loan to the Pakistan Railways for the up-gradation of its track between Lahore to Faisalabad, Sialkot Wazirabad Hafizabad, Shorkot Sheikhupura, Farooqabad, but terms and condition are under consideration.
