18 April 2005	Monday	08 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1426

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BEIJING, April 17: Federal Minister for Railways Mian Shamim Haider Siddiqui will visit China from Monday to meet the Chinese authorities to settle the issue of defective locomotives. The visit is aimed at ensuring smooth working of bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the railway sector, said Chinese official sources.

The sources said the two sides have decided in principle to continue with their cooperation in this sector and fully implement the agreement reached between the China’s state-run Dongfong Electric Corporation and Pakistan Railways.

“We are trying to develop a consensus on how to overcome the complaints regarding the defective locomotives supplied to Pakistan,” the sources said adding, “We are ready to fulfil all terms and conditions of the agreement.

An official of the Corporation said that they had already taken necessary steps to make the locomotives operational, under the provisions of the contract and Chinese engineers were repairing the under frames of the faulty locomotives to the satisfaction of Pakistan Railways.

“We have also offered to furnish bank warranty of at least five years to ensure proper functioning of the locomotives,” he added.

The Pakistan Railways had signed a contract with Dongfong Electric Corporation of China for purchase of 69 diesel engines in November 2001. The first lot of eight complete built-up units was received in July 2003 while second lot of seven CBUs of 2,000 HP locomotives was received in September 2003. Most of these engines, however, developed different faults.

—APP