ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday set a deadline of 2028 for the expansion of the Pakistan Railways network to strategic Reko Diq and directed for the formation of a ministerial committee to present recommendations about financing requirements in this regard.
Shehbaz chaired a meeting on railways upgradation and linking Reko Diq with the rail network. He directed the authorities concerned to link Reko Diq with the railways network by 2028 to meet the requirements of the future transportation and cargo services.
The prime minister also directed for forming an inter-ministerial committee to look after the financing matters for the upgradation and development of Pakistan Railways and to present recommendations with regard to financing required for the network’s extension to Reko Diq.
During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed on the upgradation of the Main Line (ML)-1 and ML-3 and the overall development of the Pakistan Railways. The prime minister noted that the Pakistan Railways served as a backbone for the country’s economy and communication.
“The Pakistan Railways is a cheap, fast and environment-friendly source of transportation,” Shehbaz said, adding that linking Reko Diq with railways would boost the mines and mineral sector of Balochistan and create new employment opportunities for the people of the area.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Minister of State for Railways Bilal Kayani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and others. (WITH INPUT FROM APP)
