PR No. 100 THERE WILL BE NO MODIFICATION IN FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT BETWEEN NRA AND PR: SH. RASHEED AHMAD • UPGRADATION OF ML I IS SHOULD BE DONE IN LESS TIME • NRA SHOULD GIVE REASONABLE CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATE TO PR Islamabad: November 19, 2018

Sh. Rasheed Ahmad, Federal Minister for Railways, met National Railway Administration (NRA), China, delegation at Ministry of Railways on Monday. An Lusheng, Deputy Administrator, NRA was heading the delegation. Both parties agreed that this government knows the importance of CPEC and knows that Pakistan Railways(PR) is the backbone of CPEC. It was decided that technical teams from both sides will do a detailed exchange on issues relating to railway relationships for two days. And later on will come out of solutions. The final report will be signed on 25th December, 2018.NRA delegation mentioned that Main Line (ML) 1 is a central infrastructure of Pakistan. On the other hand, Sh. Rasheed Ahmad, Federal Minister for Railways said that ML 1 upgradation should be completed swiftly. As this government is interested in upgradation of ML 1 and 2. He further added that China is significant neighboring country for Pakistan so NRA and PR both are interested in mutual cooperation. He asserted that upgradation of ML 1 is lifeline of CPEC.There will be no further modifications in Framework Agreement between NRA and PR. Federal Minister also mentioned that ML 2 and 3 are also important for CPEC.Hence, China should also give importance to ML 2 and 3. Most importantly he said that NRA should give reasonable construction estimates to PR. He said even NRA should also give a lesser amount of interest rate. The meeting was also attended by M. Javed Anwar, Chairman, Farrukh Taimur Ghilzai, Secretary Railway Board, M. Yusuf, DG Planning, Munawar Shah, DG Technical and Maryam Gillani, DG operations.

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