KARACHI:
The government has started negotiations with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a $2 billion loan to upgrade Pakistan’s railways, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday, stressing that the Center would work with all the provinces to expand the railway network to Central Asia.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the new Shalimar Express and the newly upgraded waiting areas and lounges at Karachi Cantt Railway Station, the Prime Minister said that digitization of the railways and provision of modern facilities would play a key role in strengthening the national economy.
He told the ceremony that the federal government in collaboration with the Sindh government would modernize the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) and upgrade all railway stations in Sindh and the entire country. “Such improvements are essential to improve travel conditions and economic stability.”
Shehbaz praised Railway Minister Hanif Abbasi’s efforts to modernize the railway system. “After revamping Lahore Railway Station, Karachi Cantt Station has now also been upgraded with modern facilities,” he noted.
“All railway stations in the province will be modernized in coordination with the Sindh government to ensure better travel facilities for the passengers, he added. Shehbaz pointed out that the Shalimar Express running between Karachi and Lahore has been converted into a new upgraded train.
He reiterated that cooperation with the provincial governments of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan would continue to ensure modernization across the railway network and help stabilize the economy.
Shehbaz called Abbasi the “hero of today’s ceremony” and praised him for transforming the antiquated railway system. He said that 154 railway stations have already been modernized and once all stations – big and small – are upgraded, he will recommend a presidential award to the railway minister.
The prime minister told the ceremony that Abbasi has initiated discussions with ADB for a $2 billion loan to further upgrade Pakistan Railways. Assuring his full cooperation for the inclusion of the KCR project in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he termed it as an important initiative.
Addressing the ceremony, Railway Minister Abbasi said that under the Prime Minister’s guidance, significant improvements have been achieved in just eight months, including the modernization of Karachi Cantt Station and the renewal of the Shalimar Express.
He added that Rs1 billion is being spent on upgrading Rohri Station while work is also underway on Karachi City Station. He added that 14 trains are being outsourced under the government policy and railway hospitals and schools are also being given to the private administration.
He assured that the government would ensure full protection for railway employees. The minister also said that the work with ML-1 [Mainline] the project is also progressing.
Earlier, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah welcomed the Prime Minister and assured full cooperation of the Sindh government.
The Prime Minister inaugurated the new Shalimar Express at Karachi Cantt Station and inspected the modernization work. He visited the upgraded waiting area, lounge, state-of-the-art dining hall and computerized ticketing system.
The ceremony was also attended by parliamentarians and diplomats, senior officers from both federal and provincial governments. Earlier, Shehbaz was warmly received by the Chief Minister on a day-long visit to Karachi.
Later in the day, Shehbaz visited the residence of former Chief Minister and Member of National Assembly late Aftab Shaban Mirani and expressed condolences to the bereaved family on his demise. Shehbaz Sharif visited the residence of Jam Karam Ali and Jam Qaim Ali during the visit on Monday.
(WITH ACCESS FROM APP)
