$8b arranged for upgradation of Karachi-Peshawar railway track: Saad Rafique

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has arranged $8 billion to upgrade its railway line that runs from Karachi to Peshawar, said Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique on Wednesday.

Addressing a conference in Islamabad, the minister stated that the government was paying special attention to the development of railways, which he believes will enhance Pakistan’s regional trade.

Rafique further said that development of railways will help exploit the full potential of the Gwadar port and aid transportation of goods to landlocked Afghanistan and other Central Asian states.

Earlier this year in May, Pakistan and China signed a framework agreement for the upgradation of the railway track in a ceremony in Beijing.

The minister, who was part of the delegation accompanying Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, stated that this was a ‘significant step” for Pakistan Railways as people from all provinces of the country would benefit from the agreement.