ISLAMABAD Feb 2: Turkish Ambassador Ali Vural Oktem has said his country wants to work with Pakistan in the process of reconstruction of Afghanistan and promotion of ties in communications and railways sectors.

During a meeting with Lt-Gen (Rtd) Javed Ashraf Qazi, the federal minister for communications and railways, Mr Oktem said Pakistan had to play a leading role for the reconstruction of Afghanistan and that the Turkish companies want to work jointly with Pakistan.

Mr Qazi, however, called upon the world to extend full cooperation for the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

He said the brotherly relationship between Pakistan and Turkey had strengthened with the passage of time. “Both are cooperating in economic sector from the platform of ECO,” he said adding “this cooperation will be promoted in the future.”

He said Pakistan would extend full cooperation to Turkey for reconstruction of the neighbouring Afghanistan as the Turkish construction companies were already engaged in a number of projects in the country.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of two contracts’ ceremony, the minister has pledged to turn railways into a department of international standard with the participation of private sector.

The contracts were signed between Pakistan Railways and private sector here on Saturday. These contracts will generate revenue of Rs125 million.

The minister said effective measures had been taken to increase income of Pakistan Railways. He said, services of the private sector were being obtained for providing maximum facilities to the travellers.

“Train journey is generally considered more comfortable and safe, that is why the number of passengers is increasing day by day,” he said and added that healthy environment was being provided at railway stations.