China to upgrade Peshawar-Karachi railway track: minister

Saad Rafique says 250 new coaches will be introduced to provide better travelling facilities to the commuters

Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique said on Wednesday that China has expressed commitment to upgrade the Peshawar-Karachi railway track, Radio Pakistan reported.

Speaking in the Senate, the minister said Peshawar-Karachi railway line will be upgraded under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

Informing the House about the steps being taken to improve Pakistan Railways, Rafique said the government plans to introduce 250 new coaches to provide better travelling facilities to the commuters.



Around 180 will be locally manufactured in Carriage Factory Islamabad, he added.

The minister revealed that a tender for procurement of 800 high capacity hopper wagons for transportation of goods was in progress; out of which, 595 wagons will be manufactured locally.

The government has also decided to upgrade 21 railway stations across the country in the next three years at a cost of Rs1.95 billion, said Rafiq.