Pakistan push for railway link

[Neo]

Pakistan push for railway link

Karachi: Pakistan is considering offering a railway corridor to link India to Central Asia and Europe as part of efforts to boost regional cooperation and trade.

Pakistan's Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmed Bilour said he would soon submit the proposal to the Cabinet for approval. “We had got a letter from the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation [SAARC] which told us that India and Bangladesh were interested in getting a railway corridor through Pakistan to Central Asia and Europe,” Mr. Bilour told PTI.

“The matter has been discussed at Secretary level but so far the Railways Ministry has made no official submission to the government,” said Mr. Bilour.

“The SAARC body wants to promote and expand trade ties in this region and we need to support it,” he said.

“I will tell the Cabinet that in order to improve our economy we need to facilitate trade corridors with India and other SAARC countries,” he added.

Trade ties

The veteran Awami National Party leader said he supported the railway corridor to India as it would help in improving and increasing trade ties with New Delhi and other SAARC countries.

Mr. Bilour said he is confident that Pakistan could become a big trade market in the region specially due to its ability to provide railway corridors to central Asian states.

http://www.thehindu.com/2010/03/24/s...2461641600.htm