May 5, 2005	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 25, 1426

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ISLAMABAD, May 4: Federal Minister for Railways Mian Shamim Hyder has said the government is keen to change the century-old system of manual signalling with a modern automatic block system throughout the country. The minister was talking to representatives of a Swedish firm, led by Michael Thulian, here on Wednesday.

He said the railways ministry had planned to replace the manual signalling system from Kotri to Lahore in phases.

He told the Swedish team that the government was interested in revamping the prevailing system of railways on modern lines. In this connection, track of different sections had been replaced with heavy tracks in order to run mail/express trains with a speed of 140km per hour, he added.

The Swedish team leader appreciated the Pakistan Railways new projects and offered his firm’s assistance in putting in place the automatic block system, besides upgrading system of CTC Karachi with most modern equipment.

He said his firm was keen to invest in the signalling sector to the extent of financial support and automation of the signalling system.

Mr Thulian invited the Pakistani minister to visit Sweden in order to have first hand knowledge of his firm’s products.

Minister of State for Railways Ishaq Khakwani and other officials concerned were also present at the meeting.