ISLAMABAD – Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has said that China, Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would help revolutionise Pakistan Railways with the signing of multibillion dollar project ML-I (MainLine-I).
Speaking to journalists here, the minister said that talks were on between China and Pakistan and hopefully the project would signed during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s upcoming visit to Beijing, China, in a fortnight’s time.
The Minister said ML-I is one of the most important projects under the CPEC infrastructure portfolio and it would change the fate of Pakistan. He said that the ML-1 Railway project under CPEC will significantly improve the railway infrastructure of the country besides generating 1,50,000 jobs to locals.
He said once the project is launched, the government would also start negotiations for the launching of ML-II.
He also announced that Pakistan has launched 22 new trains, which have resulted in massive facilitation for the people and also generated huge revenue for Pakistan Railways. He said another 16 trains would be launched soon and preparations were on for the purpose.
He said under the CPEC, Pakistan Railways would also launch new freight trains that would further improve the railways revenues. Sheikh Rashid said Sir Syed Express will also be inaugurated soon.
The Minister also accused PPP and PML-N, the two political parties of Pakistan who dominated Pakistani politics since 1980s, for massive corruption looting the country’s resources.
He said economic stability is not possible without political stability as corruption had increased in the society owing to abundance of money in politics.
The minister said Pakistan has no option but to go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to seek a bailout package due to the corrupt practices of the past regimes. He suggested Prime Minister Imran Khan to allow the detained leaders to leave country as the government would be blamed if someone dies under custody.
The federal minister maintained that corruption cannot be curbed without the help of respective minister and secretary of that department. Gwadar Port is the best port in the world and Pakistan Railway would also ruin freight trains to connect Gwadar with northern Pakistan, he concluded.
