Pakistan, UK to cooperate in Railways sector

High Commissioner Jane Marriott meets Railways Minister

Celina Ali

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi and British High Commissioner Jane Marriott on Wednesday discussed bilateral cooperation between the two nations with a special focus on railways.

Pakistan’s railway sector faces several challenges such as an aging infrastructure, outdated tracks, locomotives and signal systems. Poor maintenance and a lack of modern safety measures often contribute to train derailments and accidents. Notable tragedies include the 2005 Ghotki train disaster, which killed over 130 people and a 2021 train collision that left at least 65 people dead.

As opposed to that, the UK has one of the densest railway networks in Europe with almost all major towns and cities connected by rail.

“Pakistan and the United Kingdom have emphasized joint measures to further strengthen their bilateral trade and economic relations, with special focus on the railways sector,” a government statement said following Abbasi’s meeting with Marriot in Islamabad.

Abbasi called for “a comprehensive strategy” between Pakistan and the United Kingdom to develop and modernize the former’s railway sector.

“He said Pakistan is ready to fully benefit from UK’s expertise in modernizing the railways infrastructure in the country and improving performance of this sector,” Radio Pakistan said.

Abbasi said the two countries would continue to work together on mutual interest railways projects that will benefit their economies and improve public transportation.

Pakistan has recently attempted to improve its railway infrastructure to ensure economic growth and development.