Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed says a new track of over 1700 kilometers will soon be laid between Karachi and Peshawar to run trains at a speed of up to 160 kilometers per hour. Talking to media after inaugurating operation theatre at Railways Hospital Rawalpindi today, he said it will squeeze the travel time between Rawalpindi and Karachi to just eight hours. The Minister said if the curve between Jehlum and Gujar Khan is addressed then the train will reach Lahore from Rawalpindi in less than three hours.

Sheikh Rashid said WiFi services will be provided at all railway stations across the country besides installing trackers on engines. He said all trains will be overhauled for better services.

Railways Minister said Rehman Baba Express will be launched on 23rd of this month between Peshawar and Karachi and its fare will be 1350 rupees.

The Minister expressed the resolve to enhance railways profit to ten billion rupees in just one year. Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said the government is initiating projects for welfare of Railways employees.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan has designated him as focal person of Nullah Lai Expressway and he will do his best to serve the residents of Rawalpindi.

He said the work on this project is likely to begin early next year.

Meanwhile, addressing the 11th South Asia Economic Summit in Islamabad today, Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said development of rail is of vital importance for development of national economy.

He said Pakistan is a peace loving country and desirous of peace in the entire region as well.

He said we also invite and welcome India to join China Pakistan Economic Corridor.