Deal inked with China to lay double rail track
beijing — Prime Minister Imran and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang on Sunday witnessed the signing of crucial agreements, including the second phase of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the expansion and reconstruction of the existing Karachi-Lahore Peshawar (ML-1) railway track.
Under the ML-1 project, a double railway track will be laid from Peshawar to Karachi. The speed of trains on the new track will be around 160km per hour, according to Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid.
The FTA would further enhance bilateral trade between the two countries.
Earlier, Imran Khan held a meeting with Li Keqiang at the conclusion of the 2nd Belt and Road Forum (BRF). The two prime ministers were accompanied by ministers and senior officials at the meeting. Both leaders exchanged views on the myriad facets of bilateral engagement.
Chinese President Xi Jinping also met Prime Minister Khan on Sunday and expressed hope that Pakistan and India can meet each other halfway to improve their strained relations following the Pulwama attack.
Both leaders also exchanged views on the situation in South Asia, an official Chinese statement here said about the meeting between Xi and Khan.
During the meeting, Xi expressed China’s firm support to Pakistan to further the bilateral ties between the all-weather allies.
“Pakistan is China’s all-weather strategic cooperative partner. China and Pakistan are ‘iron friends’ and have always firmly supported each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests.” Xi said.
China takes Pakistan as a priority in its diplomacy, he said.
“No matter how international and regional situations change, China firmly supports Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty and national dignity, choosing its own development path suited to its national conditions, combating terrorist and extremist forces, striving for a sound external security environment, and playing a constructive role in international and regional affairs,” Xi said.
He said major progress had been made in bilateral cooperation in the construction of the CPEC, especially in areas such as finance, trade and other aspects, the statement said.
Khan said the CPEC had played an important role in Pakistan’s economic development and the improvement of people’s lives. He said he believed more and more countries will support and participate in the cooperation under the BRI. —