KARACHI:
The government has started talks with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a $2 billion loan to improve Pakistan’s railways, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday, highlighting that the Center would work with all provinces to extend 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 digitalization of railways and provision of modern facilities would play a key role in strengthening the national economy.
He said at 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 across the country. “These improvements are essential to improving travel conditions and economic stability.”
Shehbaz praised Railway Minister Hanif Abbasi’s efforts to modernize the railway system. “After renovating Lahore Railway Station, now Karachi Cantt Station has 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 passengers,” he added. Shehbaz pointed out that the Shalimar Express, which runs between Karachi and Lahore, has been converted into a new improved train.
He reiterated that cooperation with the provincial governments of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan would continue to ensure modernization of the entire railway network and help stabilize the economy.
Shehbaz called Abbasi “hero of today’s ceremony” and praised him for transforming the obsolete railway system. He said that 154 railway stations have already been modernised, and once all stations, big or small, are upgraded, he would recommend a presidential award for the Railway Minister.
The prime minister said at the ceremony that Abbasi has started talks with the ADB for a $2 billion loan to further improve Pakistan’s railways. He assured his full cooperation for inclusion of KCR project in China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), terming it as an important initiative.
Addressing the ceremony, Railway Minister Abbasi said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, significant improvements have been achieved in just eight months, including the modernization of the Karachi Cantt station and the renovation of the Shalimar Express.
He added that one billion rupees are being spent on upgrading Rohri Station, while work is also being carried out at Karachi City Station. He added that as per government policy, 14 trains are being outsourced and hospitals and railway schools are also being handed over to private management.
He assured that the government will guarantee full protection to railway employees. The minister also said that the work on the ML-1 [Mainline] The project is also moving forward.
Earlier, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah welcomed the prime minister and reaffirmed the full cooperation of the Sindh government.
The Prime Minister inaugurated the new Shalimar Express at Karachi Cantt Station and inspected the modernization works. He visited the upgraded waiting room, lounge, state-of-the-art dining room and computerized ticketing system.
The ceremony was also attended by parliamentarians and diplomats, senior federal and provincial government officials. Earlier, Shehbaz was warmly received by the Chief Minister on a one-day visit to Karachi.
Later in the day, Shehbaz visited the residence of former Prime Minister and National Assembly member Aftab Shaban Mirani and expressed his condolences to the bereaved family over his demise. Shehbaz Sharif visited the residence of Jam Karam Ali and Jam Qaim Ali during Monday’s visit.
(WITH INPUT FROM THE APP)
