PHOTO: PIDPrime Minister Imran Khan is all set to sign a letter, which is already signed by the presidents of Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, seeking $4.8 billion loan from the World Bank for a railway line project connecting Pakistan with Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and the Central Asian Republics. According to Pakistan Railways’ officials, the premier will sign the letter during the visit of the deputy prime minister of Uzbekistan in the next week, saying once the “Joint Appeal Letter” is signed, it will be sent to the president of World Bank for final approval. In addition, it said that other countries can also be included in the project in future, adding that the trilateral project could make Pakistan the economic and trade hub for the Central Asian Republics. It is expected that the rail project would also help Islamabad build a new equation with the Central Asian Republics. Special Assistant to the Railways Minister Ghulam Dastgir while talking to The Express Tribune said that the feasibility report of the project was ready.

Source: The Express Tribune December 24, 2020 04:18 UTC