Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique has said that connectivity is a cornerstone of regional economic cooperation and integration, and it should become a top priority for Pakistan and other countries of region including China, Afghanistan, India, Iran, Turkey and the Central Asian Republics, especially in the context of efforts to find new drives of regional economic growth.
He was addressing the concluding session of three-day international conference on "Inter-regional Connectivity: South Asia and Central Asia." The delegates from 18 countries attended the closing session of conference chaired by Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Hassan Amir Shah.
"A boarder perspective on connectivity is the key. This kind of connectivity should not be considered sector by sector but rather as a part of integrated networks of industrial zones, trade, rail, roads, energy, culture, people and technology," said the minister. Rafique believed that the up-gradation of Pakistan Railways existing network and its connectivity to the railways of the region would usher in a new era of development and prosperity for Pakistan and other countries of the region through trans-border movement of trains within next 10 to 15 years by capitalising on the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) which is a partnership of ten countries working together to promote development cooperation leading accelerated growth besides envisioning implementation of China Pakistan Economic Corridor.
"We must also acknowledge that geo-strategic location of Pakistan provides numerous opportunities for regional cooperation as it is situated at the crossroad of Central Asia, South Asia and Middle Eastern regions," he said. Talking about the Pakistan Railways development plans in context of inter-regional connectivity, the minister they had prepared a master plan to upgrade railways three main arteries, Main Line One (ML-1) from Karachi to Torkham, ML-2 from Kotri to Attock City, and ML-3 Rohri-Quetta-Taftan Section with its extension to Dera Ismail Khan via Western corridor through Bostan.
The framework agreement is being signed with Chinese government for providing funding of $5.7 billion for up-gradation of Lahore-Karachi segment of ML-1, while an understanding has been reached with the Asian Development Bank for providing financial support amounting $2.5 Billion for up-gradation of Peshawar-Lahore section. With this up gradation, the speed of passenger train would be upgraded to 160 KPH which is currently at 105 KPH.
Rafique said the feasibility studies of ML-2 from Hyderabad-Attack, ML-3 and Quetta-Gwadar, Abbottabad and Peshawar-Jalalabad railings had been awarded to renowned consultants. The vision of the present government is to accomplish uninterrupted movement of goods and people from Pakistan to Europe via Iran and Turkey. The railings from Chaman to Spin Buldak, Khardar and onwards connecting Turkmenistan are also under active consultation.
The minister said that the government would ensure Gwadar deep-sea port is used to full potential for transportation of goods to Afghanistan and landlocked Central Asian Republics. Similarly, he said, connectivity of Gwadar port with Khunjerab via ML-2 and Western Corridor via D.I Khan will provide the shortest access to Chinese goods to warm-waters reducing the transportation distance 1600 KMs. This project is already part of Phase-II of CPEC.
Addressing the ceremony, Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Hassan Amir Shah said both Pakistan and Central Asia need to be brought out of their isolation. He hoped that the two days of extensive deliberations among the delegates of 18 countries would contribute to make effective recommendations to the government and give food of thought to the researchers.
In his concluding speech, Professor Dr Khalid Manzoor Butt, the conference chairman, said that in academic sessions of the conference, deliberations have outlined diverse perspectives on Inter-regional connectivity between South and Central Asia. The participants have highlighted multiple prospects and challenges in the way of economic, political, strategic, and social linkages among the countries of the two regions. They have also identified hurdles among these are historical rivalries, political inertia, cultural differences, and the lack of investment in cross-border infrastructure. A number of very useful mechanisms to promote regional connectivity were also suggested by the participants and it could be food of thought for policy makers and decision makers.
Professor Butt believed that CPEC get the center stage and will becomes the on-rolling economic cooperation between Pakistan, China, and other regional countries and is arguably the biggest ever collaborative effort in this regard. It is rightly said as game-changer and tool of transformational change in the economic profile of the entire region. For maximum dividends, we should adopt inclusive approach regarding CPEC to make it a hub of economic activity for countries of South Asia and Central Asia, he said. The conference chairman suggested the policy-makers to reform laws, include other regional stakeholders, and also involve private sector in the promotion of connectivity and development. It would certainly minimise opposition of CPEC and make it a productive and progressive project. "I see that CPEC should serve the interests of the people of this region. All the regional countries stand to reap a substantial peace dividend if they can lower mistrust for a better future of this part of Asia," he concluded.