He stated this while chairing a meeting on operationalization of Pakistan-Turkey Goods Train, which reviewed the progress as well as issue relating to it here Saturday.
The existing transport agreements of Pakistan with Iran and Turkey under ECO/Bilateral arrangements were also discussed in the meeting, says a press release issued by the Ministry of Finance.
The Minister also enquired about the feasibility study if there is any undertaken in this regard to know the financial and technical viability of this Pakistan Turkey Goods Train.
Transit Transport Framework Agreement (TTFA) was also discussed in detail in the meeting.
The Transit Transport Framework Agreement (TTFA) developed by ECO with the assistance of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development UNCTAD was signed by all ECO member countries except Uzbekistan in 1998.
The meeting discussed Bilateral Agreement on Road Transportation of Goods and Passengers between Pakistan and Iran also.
The agreement was singed by Pakistan and Iran in 1987 to facilitate transportation of goods between the two countries.
Agreement on International Transportation of Passengers and Goods by Road between Pakistan and Iran was also subject of detailed discussed in the meeting.
The agreement was signed between Iran and Pakistan during the concluding session of Pak-Iran Joint Economic Commission on June 29,2008 at Tehran.
To enhance and promote trade activities between the two countries a Road Transport Agreement was signed between Pakistan and Turkey on June 15,2003 at Islamabad.
The progress on this agreement was discussed by the participants in the meeting.
Pakistan-Turkey Goods train started its regular monthly service from Turkey and Pakistan simultaneously during August, 2010. However, there were only 06 regular services from Pakistan and 02 from Turkey.
The participants discussed the establishment of monitoring mechanism to improve the service.
The removal of different hurdles in the smooth Pak-Turkey goods Train service was also subject of discussion in the meeting.
Representatives of different ministries including Ministry of Communication and Ministry of Railways attended the meeting.
Earlier the officials of the Pakistan Railways gave a power point presentation to the minister and other attendants of the meeting on the prospects of trade through the shortest link between Pakistan and Europe through Turkey.
The presentation outlined route layout, concept of cargo train, operation special reduced rates by Pakistan Railways and trade prospects.
