Pakistan asks India for Railway engines

The government of Pakistan has requested India, to provide about 50 railway engines on lease. With no domestic production facility in the country, Pakistan is in a serious shortfall of 250-300 engines. Pakistan has mostly imported its engines from china, which have largely proved full-inefficient and costly. This has also resulted in huge decline in the railway fortunes of Pakistan.

India is increasing its railway connectivity, and has decided to start 48 new trains this fiscal year. India will also build 1100 km of new railway lines. While the only problem is financial crunch, which will be easily solved next year, by increase of passenger fares by 10-15%.

On the other hand Pakistan railways will close 102 railway lines this year because of lack of locomotives and increasing losses. So only 157 train services will cover a population of 180 million.

http://nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/12-Oct-2011/Railways-reaches-a-deadend

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C10%5C12%5Cstory_12-10-2011_pg12_10