Govt eyeing KCR completion with Chinese support under CPEC

Railway Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique has said that the federal and Sindh governments were on the same page regarding Karachi Circular Railways (KCR) project and its completion under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Khawaja Saad Rafique had visited Karachi yesterday and held important meetings at the railway’s divisional superintendent’s office. He had also met Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) leaders during his visit during which the KCR project was discussed.

DS office meeting

After the meeting at the divisional superintendent’s office in Karachi on Thursday, he said that the matters regarding the KCR project and the installation of 134 kilometres of new train tracks for Thar Coal will be discussed with the Sindh government in a meeting on June 24.

The federal government intended to work on the development of a track for Thar coal on priority, he added. He said that the expertise to develop roads and highways was available in the country but there was a lack in terms of development of train tracks along with necessary facilities.

According to ARY News, Saad Rafique said that operating railways as a profitable service throughout the world was a tough task as it was also like public transport.

He categorically stated that all-out efforts would be made to bring the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) back on track.

To another question, he said that they have only a limited time of around 12 months and during this short period they would strive hard to set the right direction for Pakistan Railways.

Rafique, CM Murad’s meeting

Minister for Railways and Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique on Friday chaired a meeting here in Karachi to discuss the ongoing Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project, ARY News reported.

The meeting, which was attended by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali and other officials, agreed to expedite the KCR project under CPEC. The railways’ minister also formed a committee to move the KCR project forward, ARY News reported.

Speaking to CM Murad Ali Shah, Saad Rafique assured the federal government’s full support for the early completion of the Karachi Circular Railway.

Rafique meets MQM-P leaders

After meeting MQM-P leaders in Karachi, Rafique told journalists that the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project will be put on a fast-track mode and will be completed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He added that the KCR project would be a top priority during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s upcoming visit to China.

“We have to see the Supreme Court (SC) orders as well and we will not violate them. We have 12 months and it would be wrong to say that the railway sector will be revived in this period,” ARY News reported.

Last month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formally requested the Chinese government to include Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.

PM Shehbaz Sharif made these remarks while addressing the Islamabad metro bus service inauguration ceremony which was attended by Charge d’ Affaires of People’s Republic of China Pang Chunxue.

“I request the Chinese government to reconsider Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project and support the Government of Pakistan in the construction of the project for the benefit of the people of the port city,” said PM while talking to the Chinese ambassador.