Partnership: Pak-Turkey cargo train on cards

Objective of the exercise will be to make the train a lucrative cargo service beyond to Europe as well.

ISLAMABAD: Turkish transport experts have been tasked with preparing a feasibility report for the involvement of the private sector in a Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul container train service (the Gul Train), a meeting chaired by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on issues relating to Pakistan Railways was informed on Wednesday. The objective of the exercise will be to make the train a lucrative cargo service not only between Pakistan and Turkey, but also beyond to Europe. The Turkish team, with the involvement of the Ministry of Railways, has met with representatives of the Karachi Stock Exchange and the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and will visit Pakistan to further deliberate and finalise the feasibility report. The meeting was also attended by Finance Minister Dr Hafeez Sheikh, Law Minister Maula Baksh Chandio, Privatization Minister Ghous Bux Khan Maher, Railways Minister Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour and Arif Habib, chairman Arif Habib Group of Companies.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22^nd, 2012.