Islamabad (Commerce Desk) — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed an acceleration of reforms in Pakistan Railways and work on the Main Line-1 project, saying corporate-based reforms are essential to make the railway system stronger, profitable and financially self-sufficient.
A meeting chaired by the prime minister reviewed Main Line-1, better utilization of railway land, and the financial and administrative performance of the institution. Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the joint efforts of the National Accountability Bureau and the Ministry of Railways to recover encroached railway land and said improvement of Main Line-1 was extremely important for providing better facilities to passengers and increasing freight transportation.
The prime minister also gave in-principle approval to commercially utilize valuable railway land to generate resources for the construction of the project. Relevant authorities were directed to present a comprehensive plan within two weeks regarding the commercial potential of the land and possible financial resources.
The meeting was informed that the 1,726-kilometer Main Line-1 project comprises four sections connecting Karachi, Rohri, Multan, Lahore and Peshawar. International financial assistance is planned for the Karachi-Rohri section, while the remaining sections are planned to be financed through domestic resources.