0
ISLAMABAD, Dec 3: Pakistan and India have agreed to an early resumption of rail link between Khokhrapar and Monabao suspended since the 1965 war. The agreement was reached here on Friday at the end of two days of talks between railway officials of the two countries.
According to the Pakistan Railways authorities, in the first phase the two sides would lay track wherever required and repair the existing line at a cost of Rs2.10 billion.
The next round of talks in this regard would be held in Mumbai. However, no date for the next meeting has been announced. Secretary Pakistan Railways Board Zaeem Ahmed Chaudhry led the Pakistani delegation at the talks, while the Indian delegation was headed by Lajpat Rai Thapar, Additional Member (Traffic) of the Railways Board of India.
The meeting stressed the need for easing visa policies by the two countries to facilitate the people of both the countries. Talking to Dawn,Minister of State for Interior Dr Shahzad Waseem said that Pakistan would relax visa policy on reciprocal basis.
In a statement, Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan said: "It has principally been agreed that the train service between the two neighbouring countries would be started soon."
He said that at the two-day talks, which were held in a cordial atmosphere, both sides suggested that the repair of rail track between Khokhrapar and Monabao was essential to restore the train service.
According to a joint statement issued after the meeting, the railway authorities of the two countries would meet again on a mutually-agreed date for continuing consultations.
"The talks were held in a cordial and constructive manner. Both sides agreed to an early resumption of the rail link between Khokhrapar and Monabao," it added. It was also agreed by the two sides that in the interim period, the two sides would undertake specific activities, including the laying of railway tracks and other related infrastructure.
AGENCIES ADD: Railways Board Secretary Zaeem Ahmed Chaudhry said both sides agreed that a once-a-week train shuttle connecting Khokhrapar with Monabao would be enough to allow divided families and friends to visit each other.
Pakistani officials said India had proposed reopening the route by October next year, but the timeframe was regarded in some quarters as inadequate. Pakistan will have to replace its narrow-gauge 128km track from Mirpurkhas to the Khokhrapar border by laying a broad-gauge track to meet modern rail requirements.
The actual track between Khokhrapar and Monabao also needed rehabilitation, they said. It may take one to two years to make the system operational, the sources said, adding the project would cost Rs2.10 billion.
