ajpirzada
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ISLAMABAD, Nov 8: Pakistan has agreed in principle to accept the offer made by Spain for the purchase of used rolling stock to help meet the deficiency of locomotives currently being faced by the railways.
As a first step, Spain is likely to supply a few locomotives, which would be tested by Pakistan Railways to assess their quality and functioning potential.
Spanish Ambassador in Pakistan Gonzalo Maria Quintero Saravia held a meeting with Minister for Railways Ghulam Ahmad Bilour in Islamabad on Monday and suggested that a team of experts from Pakistan Railways should visit Spain to evaluate the used rolling stock being offered.
Responding to the offer Mr Bilour suggested that a team of Spanish experts should visit Pakistan in advance to carry out an assessment of needs of Pakistan Railways and devise the future strategy.
He further suggested the Spanish government should invest capital to improve Pakistans rail infrastructure, which has great potential for investment.
Informed sources told Dawn that the Spanish offer of used rolling stock was under active consideration of the ministry.
Pakistan Railways GM operations Ashfaq Khattak told the Spanish envoy that railways would welcome six locomotives for a period of ninety days for test run. Once the railways is satisfied with the working of the Spanish locomotives, we would be in a position to sign an agreement for negotiating a deal for more used rolling stock from Spain, he said.
The countrywide rail operations both passenger and goods services have been severely hampered due to the lack of locomotives, which forced Pakistan Railways to shrink its service by suspending a dozen of train services.
Mr Bilour informed the Spanish envoy that Pakistans whole railway system was running on 160 engines whereas more 400 engines are needed to meet actual needs. Secretary Railways Shahid Hussain Raja said that the railway urgently needs 300 to 400 locomotives because most of the engines are out of service.
Spain offers used engines for railways
As a first step, Spain is likely to supply a few locomotives, which would be tested by Pakistan Railways to assess their quality and functioning potential.
Spanish Ambassador in Pakistan Gonzalo Maria Quintero Saravia held a meeting with Minister for Railways Ghulam Ahmad Bilour in Islamabad on Monday and suggested that a team of experts from Pakistan Railways should visit Spain to evaluate the used rolling stock being offered.
Responding to the offer Mr Bilour suggested that a team of Spanish experts should visit Pakistan in advance to carry out an assessment of needs of Pakistan Railways and devise the future strategy.
He further suggested the Spanish government should invest capital to improve Pakistans rail infrastructure, which has great potential for investment.
Informed sources told Dawn that the Spanish offer of used rolling stock was under active consideration of the ministry.
Pakistan Railways GM operations Ashfaq Khattak told the Spanish envoy that railways would welcome six locomotives for a period of ninety days for test run. Once the railways is satisfied with the working of the Spanish locomotives, we would be in a position to sign an agreement for negotiating a deal for more used rolling stock from Spain, he said.
The countrywide rail operations both passenger and goods services have been severely hampered due to the lack of locomotives, which forced Pakistan Railways to shrink its service by suspending a dozen of train services.
Mr Bilour informed the Spanish envoy that Pakistans whole railway system was running on 160 engines whereas more 400 engines are needed to meet actual needs. Secretary Railways Shahid Hussain Raja said that the railway urgently needs 300 to 400 locomotives because most of the engines are out of service.
Spain offers used engines for railways
hmmm
