Official sources told Business Recorder that Federal Railway Minister Mian Shamim Haider held an important meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Zhang Chun Xiang, last week in this regard. Shamim Haider conveyed grave concerns of the Pakistan government to Chinese ambassador regarding faulty locomotives.
According to sources, Chinese envoy was informed that the damaged locomotives are causing great worry for the PR as the government has almost grounded them.
On the other hand, sources also said that Chinese envoy was of the view that one of the major causes of these defected locomotives is a bumpy railway track.
However, the railway higher authorities denied the excuse, saying that the locomotives were manufactured after complete survey of railway tracks. "We have made it clear that special Chinese teams had conducted the survey. These all points should have been kept in mind," sources added. They said that Chinese locomotives are very heavy and do not come up to our requirements and conditions.
Sources said that the Chinese envoy assured the minister that they (Chinese government) are ready to repair the defected locomotives.
"The government of China has agreed to the repair work and everything will be done here in Pakistan," sources added. It was also learnt that the Chinese government is likely to announce formal schedule of the commencement of repair work in next couple of days. It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan is also importing nearly 1,300 freight wagons from China also.