A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation has been signed between Pakistan Railway and Iranian Railway. The MoU was signed by Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Iranian Minister for Roads and Transportation Mohammad Rehmati at a meeting held recently, said a message received here.
Both sides agreed to cooperate for the rehabilitation of Taftan-Quetta Railway Line. The MoU, inter alia, stated that Iranian side would provide with technical and engineering support for the construction and rehabilitation of railway line between Quetta and Taftan.
Pakistan Railway will arrange exclusive training programme for Iranian Railway staff. The MoU further stated that the government of Iran would provide assistance to the National Mass Transit Authority of Pakistan for establishing Mass Transit Systems in eight major cities of Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, the Federal Minister for Railway, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad and Iranian Minister for Roads and Transportation Mohammad Rehmati, referred to the deep-rooted historical and religious and cultural relations between Pakistan and Iran.
They also expressed the hope that the MoU would promote mutual cooperation between Pakistan and Iran in the field of railways. The MoU signing ceremony was also attended by Pakistan Ambassador, Shafkat Saeed, senior officials of Iranian Foreign Ministry and Ministry of Roads and Transportation.
The Federal Minister for Railway also held a meeting with the Finance Minister of Iran Daud Danesh Jafari and examined the possibility of Iranian financial support for the projects that the Ministries of Railway of the two countries are planning to undertaken jointly.
The railway link will facilitate the economic cooperation and cultural interaction among the ECO countries, he said. Later, Federal Minister for Railway met with Deputy Minister and Chairman Iranian railway Saeed Nejad. During the meeting, matters relating to the promotion of bilateral cooperation between Railways of the two countries came under discussion.
Deputy Minister and Chairman Iranian Railway said that the current visit of the Federal Minister for Railway of Pakistan would go a long way in promoting bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the fields of Railways and Transportation.
Federal Minister for Railways referred to close brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran and said that rail link between the two countries will be a milestone in further strengthening these relations. He stated that Railways can serve as a bridge in bringing the people of the two countries and the region closer.
They also discussed various proposals aiming at promoting cooperation in the field of Railway. Both sides agreed to study the technical capabilities of the two Railways and share each other's experiences.
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