Pakistan Link Headlines

Pakistan plans to link rail track with Central Asian states

LAHORE, (NNI): Pakistan Railways has devised a three-phase intensive plan to establish rail link with the Central Asian states in order to boost regional trade and facilitate peoples.

In first phase, 150 kilometres railway track will be laid down between Chamman and Kandhar and its feasibility report will be completed by May next year.

During next phase, Kandhar will link with Harat and in last phase railway track will link to Turkmenistan. It would give boost to freight business of Pakistan Railways and further strengthen Pakistan's trade ties with Afghanistan and Central Asian States.

General Manager Pakistan Railways Aurangzeb Khan disclosed this in an exclusive chat with NNI at his office.

Aurangzeb Khan, who assumed the charge of his office few months back spoke at length on resumption of Samjhota Express, shrinking railway's freight business and its various ongoing development projects.

About its plan to link up railway track up to Central Asian States, Khan said Pakistan Railways team is currently visiting Afghanistan for second round of talks on the 150-km long Chamman-Kandhar track.

"The team will hold preliminary meetings with Afghan officials to discuss provision of labourers for track, security of Pakistani engineers and the route of track in Afghanistan," he explained.

He said Afghan people are with Pakistan and once the rail link will establish it would not only promote trade between the two countries but also help increase people interaction.

He said work on the project is expected to start next year, as the feasibility report of the project will be in our hand by May 2004. "Pakistan and China are likely to have joint venture to lay down the Chamman-Kandhar track," he observed.

About the resumption of Samjhota Express, the General Manager said four-member Pak delegation is going to New Delhi on 17th for technical-level talks to restore the passenger train service between the two countries.

"Mohammad Iqbal Khatri, Additional General Manager of Pakistan Railways, will lead the team and discuss the technical modalities to work out an agreement for reviving the Samjhota Express," he added.

The General Manager said talks will be of purely technical nature and no fresh proposal regarding extension of Samjhota Express route to other cities, increase in train frequency are likely to come under discussion as we have received formal instructions from Islamabad in this regard.

"The focus of talks will remain on composition of train, its timings and other technical aspects," he explained.

Regarding preparations for running Samjhota Express, he said we are fully prepared to dispatch the train on 24 hour notice as our coaches, locomotive, track are in a ready position and Wagha station has been renovated.

To a question, he said Pakistan will neither string any condition nor demand security in talks regarding one-sided termination of agreement to suspend the service.

About restoration of Khokarpar rail link, he said it would take time due to depilated track conditions.

About the financial health of Pakistan Railways, Aurangzeb said the organisation is back into black after a long time. It earned Rs3.7 billion profit and considerably reduced its debt. At present over Rs57 billion projects are underway and after completion of these projects the change will be visible.

"We have devised a long-term rehabilitation plan under which new locomotives, coaches and freight wagons are being acquired. The Karachi-Lahore track is being doubled in a phased manner, while Shahdarah to Rohri signaling system will be upgraded with an estimated cost of Rs9.25 billion," he explained. However, Rohri to Karachi signal system will be upgraded in second phase, he added.

He said 245-km long Raiwind-Khanewal double track will cost Rs4 billion while 121-kilometer long Lodhran-Khanewal track will consume Rs3.3 billion. Besides this, as many as Rs9.5 billion will be spent to rehabilitate 600-kilometers long railway track on various sections.

"We will inaugurate double track between Shujahabad and Lodhran by March 2005 while the double track up to Khanewal is expected to complete in June 2008," he maintained.

However, under the emergency plan we have devised short-term plans to improve the infrastructure, coaches and freight wagons. About Rs3.75 billion will be spent under the plan on locomotives, passenger coaches, freight wagons, he added.

The General Manager said the railway has run new trains, launched special trains and increased coaches in various trains under the plan. He said 69 new Chinese locomotives will be on track in next two years after which passenger service and freight business of railways will mark significant improvement.

About the requirement of locomotives, coaches and freight wagons, Aurangzeb said railways need 200-250 engines and 1,400-1,500 high-capacity freight wagons. "We have been spending Rs17 billion on locomotives and Rs5.25 billion on passenger coaches," he added. In addition to this, we have been implementing a plan to rehabilitate 450 coaches in the country.

About the shrinking freight business, Aurangzeb said reduction in oil transportation due to increased hydropower generation and inauguration of Ghazi Barotha Hydropower Project is a major setback to freight business of the organisation. This year, the country could not import wheat and we suffered losses due to this. However, Pakistan Railways has devised an alternative plan to increase its freight business. "Now we are focussing more on container service of various goods including fertilizer, coal, edible oil and Goods in Transit for Afghanistan (GITA)," he added.

"We have ordered 1,300 high capacity freight wagons to China. The first shipment of 150 wagons is due early next year after which we would launch a new service for private business sector," he added.

He said for the first time in the history of Railways, we have approached private sector and entered into some agreements to boost freight business. "Railways is investing Rs 23.5 million in oil terminal at Bin Qasim in a joint venture with a company and it expects Rs300 million income annually from this project. Similarly, a private businessperson is keen to transport edible oil through railway wagons from Karachi to Khushhal Khan Khatak.

"Discussions are underway with various parties and hopefully we will carry 50 per cent more freight next year as compared to this year," he added.

To a question about the privatisation of Pakistan Railways, he said there is no proposal on card to privatise this vital organisation. He termed such move against national interest and said no investor would come to run trains on loss-making sections.


	Pakistan plans to link rail track with Central Asian states LAHORE, (NNI): Pakistan Railways has devised a three-phase intensive plan to establish rail link with the Central Asian states in order to boost regional trade and facilitate peoples. In first phase, 150 kilometres railway track will be laid down between Chamman and Kandhar and its feasibility report will be completed by May next year. During next phase, Kandhar will link with Harat and in last phase railway track will link to Turkmenistan. It would give boost to freight business of Pakistan Railways and further strengthen Pakistan's trade ties with Afghanistan and Central Asian States. General Manager Pakistan Railways Aurangzeb Khan disclosed this in an exclusive chat with NNI at his office. Aurangzeb Khan, who assumed the charge of his office few months back spoke at length on resumption of Samjhota Express, shrinking railway's freight business and its various ongoing development projects. About its plan to link up railway track up to Central Asian States, Khan said Pakistan Railways team is currently visiting Afghanistan for second round of talks on the 150-km long Chamman-Kandhar track. "The team will hold preliminary meetings with Afghan officials to discuss provision of labourers for track, security of Pakistani engineers and the route of track in Afghanistan," he explained. He said Afghan people are with Pakistan and once the rail link will establish it would not only promote trade between the two countries but also help increase people interaction. He said work on the project is expected to start next year, as the feasibility report of the project will be in our hand by May 2004. "Pakistan and China are likely to have joint venture to lay down the Chamman-Kandhar track," he observed. About the resumption of Samjhota Express, the General Manager said four-member Pak delegation is going to New Delhi on 17th for technical-level talks to restore the passenger train service between the two countries. "Mohammad Iqbal Khatri, Additional General Manager of Pakistan Railways, will lead the team and discuss the technical modalities to work out an agreement for reviving the Samjhota Express," he added. The General Manager said talks will be of purely technical nature and no fresh proposal regarding extension of Samjhota Express route to other cities, increase in train frequency are likely to come under discussion as we have received formal instructions from Islamabad in this regard. "The focus of talks will remain on composition of train, its timings and other technical aspects," he explained. Regarding preparations for running Samjhota Express, he said we are fully prepared to dispatch the train on 24 hour notice as our coaches, locomotive, track are in a ready position and Wagha station has been renovated. To a question, he said Pakistan will neither string any condition nor demand security in talks regarding one-sided termination of agreement to suspend the service. About restoration of Khokarpar rail link, he said it would take time due to depilated track conditions. About the financial health of Pakistan Railways, Aurangzeb said the organisation is back into black after a long time. It earned Rs3.7 billion profit and considerably reduced its debt. At present over Rs57 billion projects are underway and after completion of these projects the change will be visible. "We have devised a long-term rehabilitation plan under which new locomotives, coaches and freight wagons are being acquired. The Karachi-Lahore track is being doubled in a phased manner, while Shahdarah to Rohri signaling system will be upgraded with an estimated cost of Rs9.25 billion," he explained. However, Rohri to Karachi signal system will be upgraded in second phase, he added. He said 245-km long Raiwind-Khanewal double track will cost Rs4 billion while 121-kilometer long Lodhran-Khanewal track will consume Rs3.3 billion. Besides this, as many as Rs9.5 billion will be spent to rehabilitate 600-kilometers long railway track on various sections. "We will inaugurate double track between Shujahabad and Lodhran by March 2005 while the double track up to Khanewal is expected to complete in June 2008," he maintained. However, under the emergency plan we have devised short-term plans to improve the infrastructure, coaches and freight wagons. About Rs3.75 billion will be spent under the plan on locomotives, passenger coaches, freight wagons, he added. The General Manager said the railway has run new trains, launched special trains and increased coaches in various trains under the plan. He said 69 new Chinese locomotives will be on track in next two years after which passenger service and freight business of railways will mark significant improvement. About the requirement of locomotives, coaches and freight wagons, Aurangzeb said railways need 200-250 engines and 1,400-1,500 high-capacity freight wagons. "We have been spending Rs17 billion on locomotives and Rs5.25 billion on passenger coaches," he added. In addition to this, we have been implementing a plan to rehabilitate 450 coaches in the country. About the shrinking freight business, Aurangzeb said reduction in oil transportation due to increased hydropower generation and inauguration of Ghazi Barotha Hydropower Project is a major setback to freight business of the organisation. This year, the country could not import wheat and we suffered losses due to this. However, Pakistan Railways has devised an alternative plan to increase its freight business. "Now we are focussing more on container service of various goods including fertilizer, coal, edible oil and Goods in Transit for Afghanistan (GITA)," he added. "We have ordered 1,300 high capacity freight wagons to China. The first shipment of 150 wagons is due early next year after which we would launch a new service for private business sector," he added. He said for the first time in the history of Railways, we have approached private sector and entered into some agreements to boost freight business. "Railways is investing Rs 23.5 million in oil terminal at Bin Qasim in a joint venture with a company and it expects Rs300 million income annually from this project. Similarly, a private businessperson is keen to transport edible oil through railway wagons from Karachi to Khushhal Khan Khatak. "Discussions are underway with various parties and hopefully we will carry 50 per cent more freight next year as compared to this year," he added. To a question about the privatisation of Pakistan Railways, he said there is no proposal on card to privatise this vital organisation. He termed such move against national interest and said no investor would come to run trains on loss-making sections.
	Back to Top