Efforts being made to bring improvement in railway: Saad Rafiq

[Edevelop]

ISLAMABAD, Oct 20 (APP): Federal Minister for Railways, Khawaja Saad Rafiq on Sunday said that all out efforts are being made to bring improvement in the railway sector. He said that no stone would be left unturned to bring the railway on right track and make it a profitable organization. He said that steps would be taken to reduce billions of rupees losses in the railway sector. Saad Rafiq said that measures have been taken to increase the speed of trains covering long distances and such efforts need huge money to improve the capacity of the track. He said that steps have been taken to make railway workshops operational for smooth flow of system. He said that strict action was being taken against the elements allegedly involved in the corruption of railway.
Talking to a private television channel, he said Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), government after coming into power is making efforts to streamline the system in the Railway sector. He said all corruption cases would be sent to National Accountability Bureau (NAB), so that recovery could be made in an appropriate manner.
Replying to a question regarding mafia, he said land and many railway houses have been recovered and vacated after operation launched against such elements. He said that the operation will continue till the complete recovery of ill-legally occupied railway lands.
To a question he said that railway lands would be computerized soon and in this regard, discussion was being made with information technology and other related institutions to computerize the land record in Punjab areas.
Khawaja Saad Rafiq said that all important steps are being taken to preserve the railway heritage.
He said planning is being made to run metro train in Lahore and circular railway in Karachi in the next few years.
The Minister said that PML-N government would start the project in Karachi with the cooperation of provincial governments.
He said, “We are seeking loan on easy term and condition with JICA to implement the project in letter and spirit.”
He said that inter-city and intra-city trains would be run soon. To another question he said that PML-N is supporting the public-private partnership idea, particularly in the railway sector.

Associated Press Of Pakistan ( Pakistan's Premier NEWS Agency ) - Efforts being made to bring improvement in railway: Saad Rafiq

 

[Edevelop]

A Month ago

Japan ready for a big $2.5 billion loan to Pakistan

NEW YORK: Japan has further cut the very nominal interest rate to 0.01 percent on a $2.5 billion loan which Tokyo is ready to provide Islamabad for the Karachi Circular Railway project, likely to be discussed between prime ministers of Pakistan and Japan on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly here.

The Japanese are waiting for a go ahead signal from Islamabad as all other steps of the project have already been completed. These include the feasibility study, re-settlement action plan and environmental impact assessment.

Other conditions for the JICA loan have also been met by Pakistan including exemptions from GST, customs duty and taxes. The PC-1 of the project was approved by Ecnec in August 2012. Land has been allocated by the Railways ministry while no major traffic diversions or relocation of utilities is involved.

But Islamabad has so far not made the formal request and if PM Nawaz Sharif raises the issue in New York with the Japanese PM, the loan could be available within weeks as only one major step of an appraisal mission is left which the Japanese say would take about three weeks to complete.

A $2.5 billion loan to Pakistan on almost zero interest rate for 40 years with a 10 year grace period would also help Pakistan’s falling rupee against the dollar, experts say.It is yet to be seen if Nawaz Sharif will bring up the issue because if he does not, domestic politics would be the main consideration.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-25688-Japan-ready-for-a-big-$25-billion-loan-to-Pakistan

Last Week

Dar meets Afghan, Iranian counterparts, JICA president

WASHINGTON: Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar met with his Afghan and Iranian counterparts and discussed economic and trade cooperation with the neighbouring countries.

The finance minister, who is heading a top-level Pakistani delegation to annual World Bank-IMF meetings, also had a ‘productive’ meeting with President of Japan International Cooperation Agency Akihiko Tanaka on economic development cooperation. The finance minister briefed the JICA chief about the development plans of the government and appreciated Tokyo’s assistance in Pakistan’s economic development.

Senator Dar discussed cooperation in coal-based projects and Karachi Circular Railway project, which was a follow-up of the meeting between the prime ministers of the two countries in New York last month, an aide to the finance minister said. The two sides agreed on pushing forward projects like the Karachi Circular Railway and also examine potential for cooperation in new projects Islamabad wants to complete on priority basis.

The JICA chief expressed appreciation for the government’s fiscal and economic measures and reforms towards economic stability.Meanwhile, in a meeting with Omar Zakhilwal, the Afghan Finance Minister, Senator Dar discussed next month’s Joint Working Group meeting, due to be held in Kabul.

The two finance ministers were confident that they would be able to make decisions at the meeting on issues like Jalalabad-Torkham Road, railway link up to Landi Kotal, CASA 1000 and Afghan Transit Trade In an other meeting, Finance Minister Dar and his Iranian counterpart Ali Taiebnia, discussed local trade within the framework of international sanctions imposed on Tehran over the nuclear issue. They also discussed how Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline could be financed in view of sanctions.

The finance minister was assisted in the meetings by Secretary Fianance Dr Waqar Masood Khan, Governor State Bank Yaseen Anwar, Secretary Economic Affairs Division Nargis Sethi, and Charge d’ Affaires at the Pakistani embassy Dr Asad Majeed Khan.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said the government is focusing on hydel power projects to generate cheap electricity, especially at Neelum-Jhelum Hydropwer plant, to overcome the energy crisis and provide relief to people in the country.

According to a private news channel, the OPEC (Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) Fund for International Development will provide $50 million loan for Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower project.

He said Diamer Bhasha Dam, Dasu and Neelum-Jhelum hydel projects will bring economic revolution in the country. The construction of the hydroelectric power plant involves diversion of the Neelum River through an underground tunnel system.

He stated that the project is aimed at meeting growing electric power demand through improved access to electricity and reliable power supply.“The project will boost the share of hydro-generated power in the overall mix of electricity generation of Pakistan,” he added.

Dar meets Afghan, Iranian counterparts, JICA president - thenews.com.pk

 

[Edevelop]

 

[Samlee]

Right Now Japan Is The Opportunity of A Lifetime For Pakistan.After 2 Decades of Slow Growth Japan Under Shinzo Abe Is Looking To Once Again Revive It's Economy.A Part Of This Economy Is To Export Japanese Infrastructure Expertise and Technology.It Looks To Triple Infrastructure by FY 2020.As Part Of This Strategy It Is Offering Credit Lines On Favourable Terms Just To Get It's Factories Running Again.India Has Taken Full Advantage Of This And Has Developed Some Very Advanced Infrastructure Dedicated Freight Corridor, Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor(7 smart cities 3 airports 2 seaports)


This Is Why Japan Has Provided Lucrative Terms a Very Heavy Amount of $2.5 billion.It Provided $4.5 Billion to India For The Industrial Corridor.It Has Massive Savings and The Interest Rate There Is 0.5%.That Is Why It Is Using Massive Funds To Finance Infrastructure Exports To Developing Countries.

Apart From This Another Factor Is The Un Ease With Which It Is Viewing The Peaceful Rise Of China.China In Africa and Latin America Is Through It's Policy Banks China Development Bank and EX IM Bank Financing Infrastructure Mega Projects From International Airports to Industrial Zones to Deep Sea Ports At Very Attractive Financing Terms.This Is Forcing The Western G 8 Countries To Better Their Terms.Before This They Offered Peanuts To The Developing World.Even India Has To Start To Get In On The Act.

All In All World Class Infrastructure Is A Buyers Market These Days.


Pakistan Should Take Full Advantage Of This Especially Japan.Ever Since China Has Banned Rare Earth Exports.Japan Has Been Searching For Alternatives for.We All Know That Japan Needs These Strategic Minerals To Feed It's Industries.It Has Been Courting Central Asia (Kazakhastan Kyrghyzstan) Afghanistan(Known To Hold Reserves of Trillion $).These Reports Are Worth Reading

http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2013/08/20/race-for-rare-earths-in-central-asia/

Japan looks to Central Asia for rare earth supply | The National

Asia Times Online :: Japan eyes Central Asia for strategic resources


Pakistan Is The Natural Transit Location for The Transport Of These Elements.Apart From This Pakistan Also Has Reserves Of It's Own.Japan Has Even Showed Interest In This Potential

Test confirms rare earth metals in KP and Fata | Business Recorder

Pakistan Should Negotiate Lucrative Agreements With Japan For Technology Transfer Industrialization and Development of World Class Logistics Infrastucture.

In Light Of The Above Arguments Japan Is The Opportunity of A Lifetime