Saad terms ML-1 ‘railways backbone’

Railways and Civil Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique has termed the Main Line-1 (ML-1) project “a backbone for the railways”.

He also stressed that the project, which was conceived under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), should be taken forward on a priority basis.

The minister’s remarks came during a meeting he presided over at the PR headquarters on Saturday.

He was informed that a delegation headed by Railways Secretary/ Chairman Syed Mazhar Ali Shah would leave for China on Sunday (today) to discuss several issues, including the ML-1 project, with the Chinese authorities.

Progress on connectivity from Karachi Port Terminal to Pipri Marshaling Yard was also reviewed during the meeting.

The details of the branding of trains, railway stations and railway installations were also shared as the minister was told that as an initial pilot project, branding would be done on 15 coaches, five railway stations and three billboards.

The meeting evaluated the importance and efficiency of production units of the railways. The minister directed the PR administration to develop a strategy to make the production units of the railway profitable and private investors should also be given opportunities to join the railways production units.

A briefing on the business plan of the Pakistan Railways Freight Transportation Company (PRFTC) was given to the participants.

The minister ordered to take all possible steps to increase the revenue of the PRFTC, saying that the railway companies would have to increase revenue by getting business from private projects as well.