Islamabad:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif established a deadline for 2028 on Tuesday for the expansion of the Pakistan Railway Network in Reko Diq Strategic and has directed the training of a ministerial committee to present recommendations on funding requirements in this regard.
Shehbaz chaired a meeting on the improvement of railways and binding Reko Diq with the rail network. He ordered the authorities concerned to link Reko Diq to Railways Network by 2028 to meet the requirements of future transport and freight services.
The Prime Minister also ordered to form an inter -ministerial committee to deal with financing issues for the upgrading and development of Pakistani railways and to present recommendations concerning the funding required for the extension of the network to Reko Diq.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister was informed of upgrading the main line (ML) -1 and ML -3 and the overall development of Pakistani railways. The Prime Minister noted that the Pakistani railways served as a skeleton for the country’s economy and communication.
“Pakistan railways are a inexpensive, fast and environmentally friendly source of transport,” said Shehbaz, adding that Reko Diq’s link to railways would stimulate mines and the mineral sector of Baloutchistan and create new job opportunities for residents of the region.
The meeting was followed by Vice-Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, the Minister of Defense Khawaja Asif, the Minister of Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, the Minister of Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Charthry, the Minister of State with railways Bilal Kayani, special assistant of Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and others. (With application input)
