Raza Naqvi
Attock
Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that Main Line-1 railway network would bring massive economic activity in the country and will generate job opportunities as well. “For the first time, Pakistan is brimging a big development in railway sector in shape of Main Line-1 project being implemented in collaboration with China,”.
He was addressing at the upgradation ceremony of Hassan Abdal railway station, which was firstly built during the British rule 127 year ago and it will now better facilitate Sikh pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Punja Sahib. The Prime Minister said railway was an important part of his vision of Naya Pakistan because of its affordable mode of travel for common man. Unluckily , he said, the British infrastructure of rail network of 1861 the country inherited at the time of partition was cut down instead of expansion.
He said the government succeeded in reducing the cost of project from $9 billion to $6 billion after negotiation with China. Imran Khan said with construction of under-passes, bridges and gates, the ML-1 project would reduce the distance between Karachi to Lahore to just seven hours.
He said ML-1 would significantly contribute to economic activity with transforming the existing structure into modern railways, creation of job opportunities and ease of doing business. “I want Pakistan to become self-reliant with increased economic activity,” he said. He said under the vision of Naya Pakistan, all citizens regardless of their religions, had equal rights to practice their faith. He said the upgradation of Hassan Abdal railway station, which was at a close distance from Gurdwara Punjab Sahib, would facilitate the Sikh pilgrims.
He mentioned that the railways station at Narowal would also help easy and affordable movement of Sikh community. The Prime Minister said Pakistan had potential of becoming a great tourist attraction for Hindus and Buddhist from all over the world.
He gave reference of a renowned international magazine Conde Nast Traveller that ranked Pakistan as best tourist destination in future. Imran said the government was also focusing on easing up the visa system for tourism development and lauded Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid for his efforts towards upgradation of rail system in the country and also wished happy birthday to Sheikh Rashid.
Earlier, the Prime Minister took a tour of the upgraded railway station. Railway Minister Sheikh Rahseed Ahmed said the ML-1 project would utilize 90 percent of local human resource and 10 percent from China.
He thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan for focusing on the uplift of railways to facilitate the common man. He said Pakistan Railways was trying its best effort to resolve the problems of its employees, particularly relating to their pension and said that increasing the allowances of train drivers was also under consideration.
