Pakistan Railways is backbone of CPEC, says Sheikh Rasheed

ISLAMABAD: Minister of Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed on Monday said Pakistan Railways was the backbone of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, ARY News reported.

“Unfortunately no work has been done in the past in the railways under the CPEC,” he said in a video message.

Video message pic.twitter.com/0PI38Cd5mu

— Sheikh Rashid Ahmad (@ShkhRasheed) September 10, 2018

Pledging to bring revolutionary changes in Pakistan Railways in 100 days, he said railway tracks from Karachi to Peshawar and from Gwadar to Quetta would be upgraded.

He said new railway track would be laid till Taftan, Chagai.

“Pakistan Railways belongs to the masses. We are soon going to give businessmen of the country more facilities,” he said.

Read More: Sheikh Rasheed promises ‘jobs on merit’ in railways

Sheikh Rasheed said the prime minister had approved the request for inauguration of two new trains.

Earlier, Pakistan Railways (PR) vowed that 10,000 essential job posts would be filled on merit soon.

Sheikh Rasheed said PR has the potential to generate maximum revenue which could contribute huge amounts to alleviate national debts.

He said PR would soon begin train service reaching Rawalpindi to Lahore in three and a half hours.

He said 60 per cent population inhabits along the railways tracks whereas all railways routes would be made environment friendly.

The minister said 660 passenger coaches were outdated which would be upgraded. “Wi-Fi and passenger tracking systems are going to be introduced in trains for public convenience and safety”, he said.

He said PR is going to sign coal agreement with Jamshoro Power Plant. He resented the freight rail performance and said it would be upgraded into one window operation within 15 days.

“Pakistan Railways’ success is nation’s success and it has dedicated officials who want to improve its performance and PR would soon give good news”, he remarked.