ISLAMABAD   -  Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has directed the Ministry of Railways and Public Private Partnership Authority to submit options relating to the engineering and financial aspects of the Karachi Circular Railway within two weeks.

In a meeting regarding Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) and Railways Freight Corridor projects, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has also directed the Public Private Partnership Authority (PPPA) to immediately start attracting the investors for the Railways Freight Corridor projects, officials source told The Nation here Tuesday.

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar chaired a meeting to review the present status of preparation and processing of Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) and Railways Freight Corridor projects here in Islamabad on Tuesday. Federal Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati, focal person of the Planning Ministry for Karachi Projects Najeeb Haroon MNA, Secretary Railways, CEO PPP Authority and senior officials of both Ministries participated in the meeting.

While briefing the meeting, Secretary Railway informed that Karachi Circular Railway project and Railway Freight Corridor are on track as per the timelines given by the Ministry. The meeting was informed that notices have been issued to the encroachers of the Railway Freight Corridor land and soon it will be vacated from all types of the illegal encroachments, the source said. 

Asad Umar directed Ministry of Railways and PPP Authority to carry out monthly progress review of the work assigned to the consultants to ensure that the tasks are completed on time. 

The minister stated that the incumbent government is fully committed to development of KCR project and all possible measures will be taken for achieving this objective. He said that these projects are to be executed at a fast pace as per the directions of the Prime Minister.