ML-I to upgrade Railway tracks, improve signal system and provide employment opportunities, says Abdul Razak Dawood

Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile, Industry and Investment Razak Dawood has said that up-gradation of railway track would open more job opportunities in the country.

The industry and agriculture sectors are the growth engines, which will bring improvement in the lives of the common man, he stated this while talking to a private news channel.

Through China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, we have overcome the energy crisis, he said. In the second phase, the focus would be on the uplift of railway track and signaling system.

Razak Dawood said that China had agreed on supporting the ML-1 project. This mega project of rail system would expedite transportation and cargo service system in the country, he added.

In reply to a question about exports, he said that they were seeking access to American, Australian, Canadian and Japanese markets for introducing products of Pakistan.

To another question regarding investors confidence in this region, he said that Turkey, Saudi Arabia and UAE were keen to invest in different sectors including refinery and renewable energy projects. The China had already invested in many sectors, he added. Three delegations from Germany would visit Pakistan in the next month to explore business opportunities, adviser to PM said. He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan was committed to bringing reforms in all sectors. To a question, Razak Dawood stated that the businessmen and owners of loom factories would have to adopt documentation process. Broadening tax net was the only way to steer the country out of the economic challenges, he said. Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad said that the implementation plan of the Main Line-1 (ML-1) project has been submitted to the Planning Ministry for approval.

In a video message, the minister said that he has apprised Prime Minister Imran Khan about this achievement. He said that PM Khan directed to complete the track as soon as possible. Rasheed termed the event as a huge achievement in Pakistan’s history that after 14 years PC-1 of an 1800 kilometers long track at a cost of 9.2 billion dollars has been submitted for the approval.

Prior to his video message, the minister called on PM Khan at the Prime Minister House to brief him about the development. ML-1 project is committed to upgrading the railways’ infrastructure to improve its efficiency, freight services and provide quality traveling facilities to commuters.

The railway line up-gradation project is the most important strategic project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).