PR signs optical fiber contracts with two firms to boost revenue

LAHORE: The Pakistan Railways has signed contracts with two companies for laying optical fiber cables from Karachi to Peshawar and Karachi to Lodhran.

According to a Railways spokesperson, Pakistan Railways will facilitate the Chines company and the Pakistani company for the installation of optical fiber cables.

The Chinese company will lay the cable from Karachi’s Kemari to Peshawar Cantonment along ML1 railway line. For this purpose, the Chinese firm has paid Pakistan Railways an advance of Rs256 million.

Under the second agreement, the Pakistani company will be authorised to use the right-of-way from Kemari to Lodhran for an advance payment of Rs113 million.

According to the spokesperson, both the companies have made the advanced payment to the Pakistan Railways.

This agreement is valid for a period of three years.

Pakistan Railways Chief Executive Officer Aamir Baloch stated that securing the optical fiber cable agreements is a significant step towards increasing railways’ revenue.

It should be noted that the Pakistan Railways is gearing up to enhance its operational capabilities with the procurement of 230 passenger coaches and 820 high-capacity wagons under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). This initiative aims to boost train speeds and ensure punctuality.