China Expresses Its Interest To Get The Pakistan Railways back on the Rails.

Date: 06-06-2012

Led by Dongfang Electric Corporation (DEC), International, President Mr Luo Zhigang, the Chinese delegation had frank exchange of views with PR authorities in a very congenial atmosphere during a meeting at the railways headquarters, a participant told local news channel on Monday.
Railways General Manager (Operations) Junaid Qureshi informed the Chinese about extreme shortage of locomotives that had disrupted and forced the scaling down of train operations. He sought an earliest assistance by the Chinese to put their locomotives back on track.
The Chinese team suggested that the fastest way to get locomotives might be to speed up the implementation of the 75 locomotives repeat order and go for phase-II and phase-III of a maintenance contract to carry out rehabilitation and overhaul of the existing locomotives as the existing contract was merely for supply of running spares.
However, the Chinese team mentioned that they would not participate in the current tender for 150 locomotives due to restrictive specifications and gave the friendly advice that their exclusion from the bidding process would result in far greater prices to Pakistan Railways.
Dalian Locomotive Works (DLOCO) General Manager Li Depu spoke about the 69 locomotives project and expressed his deep concern over lack of funds and other reasons that had not been permitting the PR to carry out proper maintenance and upkeep of all its locomotives whether of Chinese or other origin.
DEC President Mr Luo reiterated his interest in railways projects like hiring of locomotives, supply of 500 wagons and 40 power vans besides Sino-Pakistan Rail Link.
DEC Vice-President Mr Hu Weidong confirmed DEC/DLOCO’s solidarity with Pakistan Railways in its time of crisis.
The Railways GM thanked the Chinese delegation and expressed his sincere desire to speed up the procurement of new locomotives and rehabilitation of existing ones according to government rules and procedures.
The Chinese delegation also comprised DEC Project Managers Luo Wencheng and Huang Xuehui and DLOCO Project Manager Li Zhidong while the PR was represented by Additional General Manager Asad Ihsan, Chief Mechanical Engineer Locos Mubeen and Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer (Loco) Salman Sadiq.