[190418.EN.BIZ] China's Billions Upgrade Pakistan's Crumbling Railway Infrastructure

A PLEDGE from China to help upgrade Pakistan's railways has prompted authorities to renovate its neglected British rail system, reported Bloomberg.

"The introduction of trains like Green Line which has lesser stops and runs strictly as per schedule is a great difference," said software merchant Farrukh Malik as the train whistle announced its 10pm departure from Karachi to Islamabad.

China is to upgrade 1,163 miles of track to Peshawar with a US$8 billion loan to Pakistan, as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, which includes $60 billion in infrastructure spending in Pakistan.

Now state-owned Pakistan Railways has doubled its revenue to PKR40.1 billion (US$362 million) in the past five years and aims to do so again in the next five, Pakistan Railways secretary Parveen Agha told Bloomberg.

"This is one of the biggest opportunities for us," he said. "This is the upgradation of the entire railway system."

To help ease Lahore's urban congestion, a $1.6 billion metro line funded by Chinese banks is to open before July's national election.

Pakistan has rehabilitated more than 300 locomotives, over 1,000 passenger coaches, nearly 5,000 rail cars and 31 stations as well as purchasing 75 high-powered locomotives in a $413.5 million deal with General Electric.

The government wants to increase exports to China, Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan and even archrival India through rail links.

Source : HKSG.