ISLAMABAD (Manend News) The Pakistan Railways and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Tuesday signed a framework agreement aimed at expanding and modernising the province’s railway network through joint efforts.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and federal minister for railways Hanif Abbasi.
Under the agreement, around 240km of suburban railway lines in KP will be upgraded.
The proposed projects include the 62km Peshawar Nowshera Jahangira route, 65km Nowshera Mardan Dargai route, 51km Nowshera Mardan Charsadda route, 30km Nasirpur (Chamkani) Jamrud route and 32km Jamrud Landi Kotal Safari Railway route.
Mr Abbasi said the projects would improve connectivity between different parts of KP, modernise passenger facilities and make daily commuting easier for people. He said other routes and alignments for new railway lines would also be considered according to need and through mutual consultation. Different funding options for new routes would also be explored jointly.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi said that a framework agreement between the federal government and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would pave the way for upgrading around 240 kilometres of suburban railway lines and constructing a 192km strategic rail link from Kohat through Thall to Kharlachi, strengthening connectivity, trade and passenger services in the province under the prime minister’s vision of modernising Pakistan Railways.
Mr Abbasi thanked the KP government and chief minister for their cooperation in turning the framework agreement into a practical partnership between the Centre and the province.
He said the agreement marked an important step towards strengthening federal provincial cooperation and bringing Pakistan Railways into a new era of development, rehabilitation and modernisation.
“The agreement has been reached under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s guidance and vision. He sought stronger federal provincial partnerships for the revival and modernisation of the railway system,” he said.
The minister said through the partnership, the railway system could be made more efficient, safe and modern while providing better travelling facilities to the people.
He said that in the 79 year history of Pakistan Railways, it was the first time that cooperation at such a level was emerging between the Centre and all four provinces for railway development.
“Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and KP are working with Pakistan Railways on projects covering infrastructure, passenger facilities, connectivity and safety. The federal provincial partnership will open a new chapter in the history of the national railway system,” he said.
The minister described the proposed 192km new strategic railway line from Kohat through Thall to Kharlachi as another major component of the agreement.
He said the Kharlachi rail link under the UAPRC would promote regional connectivity and create new opportunities for trade and movement between Pakistan and Central Asian states.
Mr Abbasi said Peshawar Cantonment, Peshawar City, Nowshera and Jahangira railway stations would also be upgraded, with better passenger facilities, cleanliness and security.
He declared railway safety a top priority and stressed the need to convert unsafe unmanned level crossings into properly regulated crossings.
The minister said the Punjab government had allocated Rs9.7 billion for converting 177 unsafe railway crossings into safe and regulated crossings.
He urged the KP government to play its part in the national safety effort by working with Pakistan Railways to gradually secure the province’s 81 unsafe railway crossings.
Mr Abbasi said Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan were already contributing to different railway projects and urged KP to further strengthen its cooperation with Pakistan Railways.
“When the Centre and provinces work together, resources are used more effectively, projects are implemented faster and their benefits reach the people directly,” he said.
Mr Abbasi thanked the KP government, especially the chief minister, for cooperation and reaffirmed the commitment to further strengthening federal provincial partnership for the development and modernisation of Pakistan Railways.