No change in framework deal with China: Sheikh Rashid

Railways minister urges Chinese delegation to give reasonable construction estimates

ISLAMABAD: Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid has said there is no change in the agreement between Islamabad and Beijing with regard to upgrading railways infrastructure in Pakistan.

“There will be no modification in framework agreement between [China’s] National Railway Administration (NRA) and the Pakistan Railways,” Rashid said on Monday during his meeting with a delegation led by the NRA Deputy Administrator An Lusheng at the Ministry of Railways.

“Upgrading the [railways] Main Line-I is a lifeline of the China Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) and it should be completed swiftly and earlier than the schedule,” he said, adding that the government is committed to upgrade Main Line-I and Main Line-II.



He said the NRA and Pakistan Railways both are interested in mutual cooperation. “The Main Line-II and Main Line-III are also important for CPEC. China should also give importance to both these lines.” The minister also urged the NRA to give reasonable construction estimates to the Pakistan Railways

Both the parties agreed that the present government is well aware about the importance of CPEC and knows that Pakistan Railways is backbone of the multi-billion dollar project.

It was decided that technical teams from both the sides would do a detailed exchange on issues relating to railway relationships for two days and later on will come up with solutions.  The final report will be signed on December 25.

The NRA delegation also acknowledged that the Main Line 1 is the central infrastructure of Pakistan.  According to DNA, Pakistan and China agreed to boost cooperation between their railways and deputed technical teams to work out the details in this connection.

The Pakistan Railways Chairman M Javed Anwar, Secretary Railway Board Farrukh Taimur Ghilzai, Director General Planning M Yusuf, Director General Technical Munawar Shah and Director General Operations Maryam Gillani were also present during the meeting.

[WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM AGENCIES]