KHOKHRAPAR, Feb 24: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan said on Thursday that re-opening of Khokhrapar-Munabao rail link would certainly boost the economy of the Sindh province.

He, however, made it clear that a decision about the reopening would be taken by the federal government, keeping in mind the larger interests of the people.

He was talking to journalists in dormitory of railway officials at Khokhrapar railway station on Thursday after attending a briefing about options being examined by government functionaries for revival of the rail link and bus service between the two countries.

To a question about the opposition to reopening of border by nationalist forces, he said that the nationalists had their own viewpoint but the decision would be taken in the larger interest of the country and the people.

He said the purpose of today's visit was to evaluate available infrastructural facilities for the rail link and road before the reopening of Khokhrapar-Munabao border.

He said in today's meeting three options were discussed and ground realities were taken into account. In reply to a question about Indian foreign minister's statement that India was ready to start the rail service from Munabao by October 2005, he said "from our side nothing has been finalised right know as he has no specific idea about the exact date of the border's reopening."

He said besides railway link's restoration in the light of two different options the condition of road also came under discussion with its estimated cost." The governor said he had been informed that Rs551 million were being spent for the restoration of the existing meter-gage railway line and the work would be completed by the end of the current year.

Authorities of the Pakistan Railways informed the governor that the replacement of the existing meter-gage railway line with a broad-gage railway line would cost the government Rs2000 million and it would take at least two years for completion.

Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan said that after the restoration of the meter-gage railway line from Mirpurkhas to Khokhrapar, the distance of 126 kilometres would be covered in three hours and with broad-gage railway line, the time could be reduced by 75 minutes.

The governor appreciated efforts of the federal government and said that after the restoration of the railway track, the people would have better travelling facilities between Mirpurkhas to Khokhrapar.

He said Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz is expected to visit the area to personally announce the restoration of the railway track. At present, the average train speed on the track between Mirpurkhas and Khokhrapar is just 35 kilometres an hour. However, railways sources said that after some minor changes in the track, the train speed could be enhanced up to 65 to 70 kilometres an hour and the distance of 140 kilometres between Mirpurkhas and Khokhrapar would be covered in three hours.

The distance between Khokhrapar on this side of the border and Monabao on the other side is just eight miles. On Wednesday, a special train MG 6 down left Mirpurkhas station for Khokhropar with many high ranking officials on-board.

SINDH CM: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, who accompanied the governor during the border visit, said that currently he had no plans to go to Rajasthan but he could visit India.

He confirmed receiving an invitation from the Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan for a visit to India. He said the Indian government was ready to re-open the Khokhrapar-Munabao rail link but some work was to be done by Pakistan. He said the highway department needed six months to construct a road on the route.

Referring to nationalists' apprehensions, he said these people had opposed the creation of Pakistan as well. He said Ms Benazir Bhutto had called for common currency of India and Pakistan and recalled that late Muhammad Khan Junejo had also thought to revive the rail link but he could not do it for some reasons.

He said that nationalist elements had no reason to oppose the reopening of the border. "When people are coming through the Wagah border then what is the objection if they come through this border in Sindh, he asked. After all people will have to clear immigration process and show their passports," he said.

He said that people of Sindh were happy following the announcement of expected re-opening of the Khokhrapar border and added that divided families were living on both sides of the border, either Muslims or Hindus.