FNA - Pakistani Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad called for constructing a railway link between Iran and Pakistan through the Quetta-Taftan section as an imperative for expanding bilateral ties.

The Pakistani minister made the remarks on Tuesday during a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost, who was invited to Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad's office in Islamabad.


Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad added that upgrading Quetta-Taftan railway would further enhance Pakistan-Iran relations. Iranian Ambassador also stressed upon importance of Quetta-Taftan section.


Both sides during the meeting agreed on mutual cooperation in Railways. It was also decided to constitute a technical committee of the two countries to resolve issues pertaining to railways.


Senior officials of Pakistan railways were also present in the meeting.


Quetta-Taftan Railway route is one of four main railway routes in Pakistan, operated and maintained by Pakistan Railways. The line begins from Quetta station and ends at Koh-e-Taftan station.


The total length of this railway line is 325 kilometers. There are 23 railway stations from Quetta to Koh-e-Taftan. The line then crosses into Iran and extends to Zahedan.

Earlier the government of Pakistan had invited Iranian companies to invest in country�s railway industry to improve rail systems of Pakistan.