January 22, 2006	Sunday	Zilhaj 21, 1426

KARACHI, Jan 21: An agreement is expected to be signed between India and Pakistan in Islamabad shortly to start a train service on Khokhrapar-Monabao route, and all arrangements for the revival of the rail link would be completed by the end of this month.

This was stated in a high-level meeting, presided over by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan here at Governor’s House on Saturday.

The representatives of various departments briefed the governor about the progress made, so far, for starting the train service on modern lines.

The governor ordered early completion of link roads in the area.

The meeting was informed that immigration, customs, registration and other formalities for passengers of India and Pakistan would be finalized at the zero-point.

It was further informed that the facility of electricity would be provided by Jan 24 while that of telephone by early February, besides temporary arrangement of water supply.

The governor stressed on permanent water supply system and directed the chief secretary for early completion of water supply through pipelines.

The director-general of rangers, who visited the Khokhrapar area earlier in the day, briefed the governor about his visit.

Governor Ibad directed all the departments and organizations to be prepared for holding a full-dress rehearsal on Jan 28.

Pakistan Railways general manager (Operations) told the meeting that the project cost was Rs1 billion.

The project could have taken 24 months, but on the instructions of the President, the Prime Minister and on the desire of Sindh governor, it had been completed in eight months.

The meeting was informed that train would be plying once a week on Saturday from Karachi in night and reach the Zero-Point by 8am after covering a distance of 400 kilometres. It would stop only at Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas railway stations. The fare for economy class up to Monabao would be Rs195. Monabhao is two kilometres inside India.

The governor termed the revival of this railway link between the people of India and Pakistan as a historic event. The train service was being revived after a long period of 40 years.

“There should be proper projection and the inauguration be made as a profile event for the two nations,” he said.

Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan asked the concerned officers to arrange a train trip for media people, elite and politicians, government functionaries up to Monabao.

He was informed that work on only 30 kms long road section was pending which would be constructed in a short period.

The meeting was also informed that train service for local population would be started between Khokhrapar and Mirpurkhas within two months after launching Khokhrapar-Monabao train service.

Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui, Advisor to Chief Minister on Finance, M A Jalil, Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman, General Manager Operations Pakistan Railway Saleem-ur-Rehman Akhund, Director General, Rangers, Sindh, Maj-Gen. Javed Zia, Principal Secretary to Governor Mohammad Saleem Khan, Home Secretary Brig E Ghulam Mohammad Mohtram, Divisional Superintendent Railways Junaid Qureshi, DCO of the concerned district and officials of Customs, telephone, Hyderabad Electric Supply Company, foreign ministry and other departments attended the meeting. — APP