Pakistan Railways collaborates with Etihad Rail
PAKISTAN Railways (PR) and Etihad Rail, the national railway of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have signed two memoranda of understanding (MoU) with the aim of working together to enhance the operational efficiency of Pakistan’s railway network.
The MoUs were signed by PR CEO, Amir Ali Baloch, and the CEO of Etihad Rail, Shadi Malik, during a visit to Pakistan by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on February 28.
Under the MoUs, the two railways will study opportunities to enhance Pakistan’s existing railway network as well as the development of a new railway project. Etihad Rail says the collaboration aims to strengthen connectivity, facilitate mobility, and contribute to Pakistan’s economic growth.
The signing of the MoUs follows an agreement signed by the governments of the UAE and Pakistan in January 2024 for the UAE to invest more than $US 3bn to support the development of railway infrastructure in Pakistan.
Under the agreement, the UAE will fund the construction of a new 50km freight line from the port of Karachi to Pipri marshalling yard. The agreement also envisages the construction of related logistics and terminal facilities, which will be led by Dubai-based DP World.