ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways (PR) has started production of new train coaches in the country, Pakistani state media reported on Tuesday, following the transfer of technology from China.
The South Asian country has been able to locally produce high-speed passenger coaches and goods wagons using technology transferred by China, according to media reports.
China has also helped build capacity of PR engineers and technicians who have succeeded in manufacturing new coaches and wagons at workshops in Lahore and Islamabad.
"As many as 184 new passenger coaches would also be assembled at Pakistan Railways Carriage Factory, Islamabad during the next three years," the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) state news agency reported, citing a railways official.
PR Executive Officer Amir Ali Baloch said that a new Green Line-styled train will be run between Lahore and Karachi soon, according to the Radio Pakistan broadcaster.
He said he had issued orders to further improve the quality of food and drink in trains, and requested public to take special care of cleanliness.
Last month, China and Pakistan discussed advancement of rail, road and economic zone projects under the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to connect China to the Arabian Sea through a network of roads, railways, pipelines and ports in Pakistan and help Islamabad expand and modernize its economy.
The discussions on key projects were held during Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong's meeting with Pakistani Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, according to Pakistan's Press Information Department (PID).
China is also helping Pakistan upgrade and dualize an existing Main Line- 1 (ML-1) railway track, built in the late 19th century. The $6.8 billion, 1,872-kilometer-long ML-1 line connects the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi to Peshawar in the country's northwest.
Pakistan Railways starts manufacturing new coaches after technology transfer from China
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Pakistan Railways starts manufacturing new coaches after technology transfer from China
- Pakistan will assemble 184 new passenger coaches at Railways Carriage Factory in Islamabad in next three years
- China is also helping Pakistan upgrade and dualize an existing Main Line- 1 rail track from Karachi till Peshawar
Pakistan parliament demands national response against ‘external sponsors’ of terror after Balochistan attacks
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Assembly adopted a resolution on Tuesday condemning recent militant attacks in the southwestern Balochistan province, calling for an immediate national response against “external sponsors” of terror in the country.
Separatist militants launched coordinated gun and bomb attacks across multiple districts in Balochistan on Friday and Saturday, targeting security installations and government facilities. Pakistan’s State Minister for Interior Tallal Chaudry said 50 people were killed in the attacks, which included 33 civilians and 17 law enforcement personnel. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s state media said on Monday that security forces have killed 177 militants since Friday.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said last week that the militant attacks, which were claimed by the separatist Baloch Liberation Army, were planned by India. New Delhi denied the allegations as “baseless,” saying it was an attempt by Islamabad to deflect from its internal failings. Pakistan regularly accuses India of funding militants in its Balochistan and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, charges New Delhi has always denied.
The resolution, tabled by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, said that in several militant attacks, evidence has shed light on the “external patronage” of militants and drawn attention to “serious concerns, particularly regarding the role of India.”
“This house demands that an immediate, comprehensive, coordinated and multi-dimensional national response be ensured against these external sponsors and internal facilitators, including funding, smuggling, and propaganda networks, bringing together the political, diplomatic, military, intelligence, legal and narrative fronts,” a copy of the resolution seen by Arab News stated.
The resolution said “terrorism” in Pakistan is being facilitated through logistical and operational support, financial assistance, training, medical treatment and propaganda networks by certain neighboring countries.
It expressed solidarity with the victims and relatives of the Balochistan attacks, praising Pakistan’s security forces for taking effective action against militants. The resolution also expressed concern over militant networks using women in the attacks.
“This house expresses profound grief, sorrow, and concern over the fact that terrorist networks are attempting to exploit women and use them against the state and society through coercion, psychological pressure and blackmail,” it said.
The resolution called for national unity and rising above political differences. It vowed that the state will not compromise on the protection of its people and national security.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by land area, has long been gripped by a separatist insurgency that has intensified in recent years. Militants frequently target security forces, government officials, infrastructure projects, foreigners and non-local workers in the area.
Balochistan is home to vast reserves of minerals and hydrocarbons, and also to the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Separatist militant groups such as the BLA blame Islamabad for exploiting Balochistan’s natural resources and denying locals a share in them. The military and civilian government reject these allegations and say they are investing in the province’s development.
