ML-I important for country’s economy: Sheikh Rashid

ISLAMABAD, Feb 28 (APP):Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Thursday said that Main Line-I (ML-I) was most important project specially for Pakistan Railways and prosperity and progress of country’s economy.
He said this while talking to Ambassador of China to Pakistan Yao Jing, who called on him at the Ministry of Railways, a press release said.The envoy and Sheikh Rashid discussed development projects and agreed to expedite the work on railway projects in Pakistan.
Both the sides also discussed modalities of Karachi–Peshawar ML-I of 1,800 kilometers would be completed in five years at a cost of US$ 8 billion.
Sheikh Rashid invited Chinese firms for the up-gradation of Quetta-Taftan-Zahedan railway line project,adding that Chinese partnership will also be preferred in other projects.
The minister urged the need to expedite the development work on ML-1 and ML-2.
Sheikh Rashid hoped that ML-I project would be finalized during the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to China.
He said that with the completion, the western route would help linking China,Afghanistan, Iran and countries of Central Asia.
The envoy said development of rail and road infrastructure is inevitable for the development of Pakistan and offered all out support in this regard.