ISLAMABAD, Aug 25 (APP):Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said on Tuesday 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. Speaking at …
Federal, KP governments sign Rail partnership deal
ISLAMABAD, Aug 25 (APP):Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said on Tuesday 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.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Abbasi thanked the KP government and Chief Minister for their cooperation in turning the framework agreement into a practical partnership between the federation and 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.
Mr Abbasi said the agreement had been reached under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s guidance and vision, with the prime minister seeking stronger federal provincial partnerships for the revival and modernisation of the railway system.
“Through this partnership, the railway system can be made more efficient, safe and modern while providing better travelling facilities to the people,” he said.
The minister said that in the 79 year history of Pakistan Railways, this was the first time that cooperation at such a level was emerging between the federation and all four provinces for railway development.
He said Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and KP were working with Pakistan Railways on projects covering infrastructure, passenger facilities, connectivity and safety, adding that the federal provincial partnership would open a new chapter in the history of the national railway system.
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.
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.
“Modern railway links will help Pakistan become an important trade and transit hub in the region,” he said.
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.
He said the Punjab government had allocated Rs9.7 billion for converting 177 unsafe railway crossings into safe and regulated crossings.
Railway minister 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.
“The purpose of securing railway crossings is not merely infrastructure improvement but protection of precious human lives and prevention of fatalities,” he said.
Mr Abbasi also said plantation campaigns would continue on railway land to promote a greener environment.
He 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 federation and provinces work together, resources are used more effectively, projects are implemented faster and their benefits reach the people directly,” he said.
The minister said the shared objective was not simply to improve railway infrastructure but to strengthen connectivity, enhance passenger facilities and safety, protect human lives and create new opportunities for trade and transportation.
He said the measures being taken would lay the foundation for a modern, safe and efficient railway network connecting different parts of Pakistan and benefiting future generations.
Mr Abbasi once again thanked the KP government and the chief minister for their cooperation and reaffirmed the commitment to further strengthening federal provincial partnership for the development and modernisation of Pakistan Railways.
