Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Railways, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi on Friday met with United States Ambassador to Pakistan, Natalie A. Baker and discussed Pakistan-US relations and bilateral cooperation in the railway sector, with a special focus on foreign investment and modernization of Pakistan Railways.
During the meeting, the two sides agreed to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan Railways’ infrastructure and modern technology sectors.
The United States (US) ambassador assured support for encouraging American companies and investors to participate in railway development projects in Pakistan.
The discussions focused on potential American investment in locomotives, railway wagons, freight operations and advanced railway technologies.
Both sides also agreed to further expand the decades-long cooperation between Pakistan Railways and American company Wabtec.
Speaking on the occasion, Hanif Abbasi said that the presence of 254 American-made locomotives in Pakistan Railways’ fleet reflected the strong and longstanding partnership between the two countries in the railway sector.
The minister said Pakistan Railways was introducing a new Track Access Policy aimed at facilitating international partnerships and attracting foreign investment. He invited American investors to take advantage of the emerging opportunities in the sector.
Highlighting regional connectivity initiatives, the minister said Pakistan was actively working on major railway projects linking Central Asian states through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to Nokkundi and Gwadar.
