SCO member states vow to boost rail connectivity.

LAHORE -- A delegation of Pakistan Railways returned from India on Saturday after attending a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) railways committee during which member states agreed to increase rail connectivity and improve the existing infrastructure for the sustainable development of rail transport.

The meeting adopted the 'Work Plan of the Meeting of the Heads of SCO Railway Administrations for 2023-25' along with a draft action plan for the implementation of the 'Concept of Interaction between SCO Railway Administrations until 2025' and the draft of 'Initiative Council of the SCO Heads of Government' to promote quality and sustainable development of international rail transport in the member states.

During the discussion, the SCO Secretariat was represented by Deputy Secretary-General Sohail Khan who stressed the relevance of the initiatives from the SCO member states in railway transport and noted the importance of coordinated work in overcoming the consequences of the pandemic to restore stable operations, as well as in the processes of updating and digitising the industry.

Delegations from SCO member states Pakistan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan participated in the discussion on issues related to the safety of passengers, freight networks, existing rail infrastructure, connectivity via rail among SCO member states and the use of modern technology to improve operations.

Pakistani delegation returns from New Delhi after attending three-day meeting that adopts work plan

A railways official, who was a part of the Pakistani delegation, told Dawn that the meeting was held in New Delhi from May 8 to 10 after a gap of two years. Railways Secretary Syed Mazhar Shah headed the delegation. The trip was approved by the Foreign Office, Ministry of Railways and PM's Office.

During...