China ready to complete CPEC’s ML-1 project: Railways Minister

Islamabad: Minister for Railways and Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique has said that China was ready to complete the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)’s Main Line 1 (ML-I) railway project and had also promised to upgrade Pakistan’s meteorological warning systems with the help of Chinese experts to prevent and tackle natural disasters by timely alerts.

Speaking at a news conference here, Rafique informed that China had agreed to provide Pakistan with latest meteorological equipment to effectively forecast the environmental changes and natural calamities.

“Several agreements were reached during (the recent) visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to China,” he added.

Earlier this week, Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, assured China’s continued support for Pakistan’s sustainable economic and strategic projects including the ML-1)rail track and announced an additional assistance package of RMB 500 million for the country’s flood relief efforts.

In a meeting held here at the People’s Great Hall, the two leaders reaffirmed their mutual commitment to CPEC and agreed that as a project of strategic importance, both sides would make joint efforts to “launch the ML-1 as an early harvest project under the CPEC framework”.

Both leaders also acknowledged the need for a mass-transit project in Karachi and agreed to finalize all formalities for the early launch of the Karachi Circular Railway.

They also appreciated the signing of a number of agreements covering a broad range of bilateral cooperation during the visit.

The two leaders discussed cooperation across a range of issues, including defence, trade and investment, agriculture, health, education, green energy, science and technology, and disaster preparedness.

The Prime Minister also extended a warm invitation to President Xi for visiting Pakistan at an early date, which the latter accepted graciously.