Pakistan to Establish Rail Link with Afghanistan

23 May 2007: Islamabad

Pakistan will help Afghanistan to establish rail link between the two countries besides helping the neighborly country to lay track upto Southwestern bordering Kandhar province.

Pakistani Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Deputy Minister of Work Afghanistan Dr, Eng, Rasooli W.M. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) here in this regard to complete railway track between Chaman (Pakistan) and Spinbudlak towns (Afghanistan) in the first phase.

The work on the laying of railway track between both the cities would take around one year to complete after the start of work, Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid told reporters.

This link will go a long way in furthering brotherly relations between both the neighbours, he added. "We are happy that our brotherly country like Pakistan has come forward and helping us to introduce railway system for the first time", said Afghan Deputy Minister Rasooli.

It would not only be beneficial for our mutual trade but also go forward in further deepening the roots of brotherly and friendly ties, he said while thanking the government of Pakistan for the gesture.

In addition to that, he said further, the MoU also includes that Pakistan Railways (PR) would complete feasibility study for laying of track between Spinbudlak and Kandhar towns of Afghanistan.

Link: Kuwait News Agency