KARACHI: Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has said that Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) is much essential project to resolve the public transport issue of the metropolis.

Speaking at a meeting during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Saturday, he said as soon as the Sindh government signs agreement, approves the design and feasibility of the KCR project, Pakistan Railway will start work on it immediately and hand over the track to Sindh government but the Sindh government has to work in this regard.

He was of the view “if KCR is not completed during tenure of the present government, it will never be completed”, adding that it was a really essential project which has become part of CPEC now.

Highlighting the performance of Pakistan Railways (PR), the Minister said that PR has earned Rs 4 billion more as compared to the earnings during the same period of previous year.

“We have also provided three more container trains to the business community and the number of freight trains during the present government has enhanced from just 8 to 14”, he added.

The Federal Minister categorically stated that there will be no economic stability without the political stability.

Referring to 1760 km long ML-1 project from Karachi to Peshawar, the Minister said that, Prime Minister Imran Khan will be signing the agreement on 27th April which would result in laying of completely new double track from Karachi to Peshawar with fencing on both sides and a minimum speed of 160 Kms. Work on this project will be completed in the next five years, he added.

Chairman Businessmen Group & Former President KCCI Siraj Kassam Teli, Vice Chairmen BMG Zubair Motiwala and Anjum Nisar, General Secretary BMG AQ Khalil, President KCCI Junaid Esmail Makda, Senior Vice President Khurram Shahzad, Vice President Asif Sheikh Javaid, MNA Aftab Jahangir, CEO Pakistan Railways Aftab Akbar and KCCI Managing Committee Members were also present at the meeting.

app