ISLAMABAD (July 30 2006): President General Pervez Musharraf on Saturday approved a mass transit railway system for eight large cities, a Lahore-Rawalpindi high-speed rail link and a new track from Havelian to Khunjerab Pass to boost trade with China.

The President, speaking at a presentation on 'Modernisation and future plans of Pakistan Railways' at the Pakistan Railway Carriage Factory here, called for improving the signalling system, conversion to standard gauge rail track, and provision of rail track through Kohat Tunnel.

The President is the first head of state to visit the Carriage Factory. He said that the Gwadar deep-sea port would provide trade and economic linkages to regional countries through a modern communication infrastructure, including rail network.

Referring to Pakistan's geo-strategic location, he said that the country is a potential economic and trade hub for Central Asian Republics, Gulf, the Middle East, Western China and South Asia.

He said there was need to provide to the masses modern communication facilities through a fast and efficient network of roads, ports and rail tracks. Railways Minister Rashid Ahmed told reporters after the meeting that a number of important decisions were taken at the presentation for expansion of railway network and to provide better facilities to the travelling people.

The President gave approval for a fast train to run between Rawalpindi and Lahore, and Karachi, which would run at a speed of 250 km per hour, on a completely new alignment, between Shahdara and Rawalpindi, covering the 290 km distance in 90 minutes.

The President also approved proposals for carrying out pre-feasibility studies for laying a rail track between Havelian and Khunjerab Pass, and a track from Chaman to Spin Boldak on the Afghan border. Approval was also given to a pre-feasibility study for laying a track along the Kohat tunnel.

The President also directed preparation of feasibility reports for introducing mass transit trains in eight major cities. "Your focus and objective should be to provide better transit facilities to the people," the President said. He was appreciative of the Railways Minister, and said: "Well done, Sheikh Sahib".

The President was also informed in detail about the future expansion plans of Pakistan Railways. According to these plans, the Railways was conducting a feasibility study to link Gwadar sea-port with Quetta at an estimated cost of Rs 75 billion. New tracks would be laid between the two cities in the first phase, which would be extended later to Chaman and Kandhar in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has already offered China a rail linkage through Khunjarab Pass to Gwadar, providing it shortest route for expanding its trade with the Gulf and the regions beyond.

The pre-feasibility study will examine possibility of finding the most economical route to link Havelian with Khunjrab Pass and onward link through Chitral with Tajikistan.

The President was told that Pakistan Railways was acquiring 69 locomotives from China at a cost of Rs 5.89 billion, and 33 of these have been assembled at Pakistan Railway Carriage Factory, while 20 would be received from China next year.

The President was informed that 24 imported locomotives from China, that had developed cracks, had been repaired and were now operative. Rashid said that Pakistan Railways was also studying prospects of acquiring technology from Germany, USA and other countries to improve its rail infrastructure.

He said that under the track rehabilitation plan, 2,083 km track would be improved at a cost of Rs 9.4 billion, by December 31, 2007, and would also include upgradation of level crossings, rehabilitation of bridges and fences.

The President was informed that track from Lodhran to Khanewal would be dualised at a cost of Rs 3.29 billion, and was scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. It will also include modern signal equipment at a cost of Rs 1.2 billion.

The dualisation of 246 km Khanewal-Raiwind track would cost Rs 5.5 billion and would be completed by June next year. The Railways also plans to produce 600,000 sleepers per annum in collaboration with the private sector.

The Pakistan Railways is working on a plan to produce high capacity wagons for qualitative improvement in its cargo carrying ability. Around 1300 wagons are being assembled at Mughalpura Workshop, Lahore.

The President was informed that Pakistan Railways has also acquired 175 passengers carriages with a new design at a cost of Rs 7,776 million. Of these, 145 have been assembled, while work is on for 30 more. He was also informed about the measures adopted by Pakistan Railways to avert accidents.

Despite heavy rain and standing water at places, the President inaugurated the High Speed Coaches Workshop. He shook hands with the workers, including Chinese workers who waved and clapped as he inspected various sections of the facility. The President also inspected the passenger coaches acquired from China and the ones being built in Pakistan. He was appreciative of the quality and announced Rs 1000 cash for each of the 1200 workers, including the daily-wage earners. The President was presented models of a Chinese train and engines by Chinese engineers.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2006