China would hand over 150 high capacity railway freight wagons to Pakistan by the end of June, said Minister for Railways Mian Shamim Haider here on Tuesday. Talking to newsmen at the end of his ten-day visit to China, he said he held very fruitful discussion with the Chinese side to enhance bilateral cooperation in the railway sector. The delivery of 150 wagons is part of an agreement, under which China Dongang Electric Corporation (DEC) is to provide 1,300 wagons to Pakistan Railways within the a period of three years.
To a question, Shamim Haider said he had conveyed to the Chinese side Pakistan's concern regarding supply of the nine defective locomotives, adding that he was assured on behalf of the Chinese government that the defects in the locomotives would be rectified according to the PR satisfaction.
It was decided that the contract signed between the DEC and the PR would be implemented in letter and spirit. The Corporation agreed to provide five-year bank's guarantee to ensure proper working of the locomotives.
The Chinese side accepted the responsibility of repairing the defective parts of the locomotives, making them functional forthwith, if needed these would also be replaced.
About the future cooperation, Shamim Haider said the Chinese companies including China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC) had already signed agreements with the PR to help in implementing its modernisation plan.
To a question, he said the CMC had assured him to complete the delivery of 175 passenger coaches to Pakistan by August this year. " We are hoping that the Chinese side will strictly follow the delivery-schedule in accordance with the relevant contracts," he added.
The Minister said he also held very useful talks with the Chinese companies, seeking their support for electrification of railway tracks and the signaling system.
About his meeting with Chinese Railways Minister Liu Zhijun, he said they availed the opportunity to review the overall cooperation of the two countries in the railway sector.