Minister vows cooperation in railway sector during Turkish President’s visit

ISLAMABAD, Mar 1 (APP):Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Friday vowed that practical steps for cooperation would be taken in the railway sector by Pakistan and Turkey during the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Pakistan.

During a meeting with Turkish Ambassador Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul who called upon him at the Ministry of Railways and discussed to further strengthen cooperation and partnership between Pakistan and Turkey in railway projects.
Sheikh Rashid said the present government was developing Pakistan Railways on modern lines and the department would get benefit from the experiences of Turkish Railways.

The minister invited the Turkish railway companies for joint ventures for the up-gradation of Main Line-II (ML-II) and Main Line-III, Quetta-Zahedan-Taftan of Pakistan Railways.
Sheikh Rashid offered the Turkish Government for partnership in Locomotive Factory, Risalpur of Pakistan Railways and extended all out cooperation in this regard from the department.
He said that it was a matter of pleasure that Turkish private companies were showing keen interest in the tenders issued for procurement of bogies for passenger and freight trains.
The minister thanked the Government of Turkey and its people for supporting Pakistan’s stance in the ongoing tension between Pakistan and India.
Sheikh Rashid said that Pakistan and Turkey were enjoying strong and cordial relations based on religious bonding and were standing beside each other.
The ambassador said that Turkey was fully capable to support and cooperate with Pakistan for developing infrastructure, housing and tourism sectors.