LAHORE: Bangladesh has expressed interest in purchasing freight wagons and passenger coaches from Pakistan Railways following official-level engagements and site visits to major railway manufacturing and maintenance facilities in Pakistan, railway officials said.
A Bangladeshi delegation comprising the Secretary for International Organisations and Consular Affairs and the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan recently visited the Pakistan Railways carriage factory in Islamabad and the Mughalpura Workshop in Lahore to review production capacity and technical standards.
Senior Pakistan Railways officials briefed the delegation on carriage and wagon manufacturing, locomotive maintenance, and rehabilitation processes. The visitors were also given an overview of ongoing projects and indigenous production capabilities.
Officials said Pakistan Railways is offering rolling stock at competitive prices compared with other international suppliers, positioning Pakistan as a cost-effective option for countries operating broad-gauge rail networks.
Bangladeshi diplomats described the visits as constructive and informative, noting that the engagements reflected strengthening cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh in the railway sector.
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi has stated that railway-to-railway collaboration with Bangladesh could deliver mutual benefits and expand technical cooperation.
Pakistan Railways is currently supplying coaches and wagons to several countries, including Sri Lanka, Nepal, Chile and Argentina. Railway officials said technical teams from Bangladesh are expected to visit Pakistan in the next phase for detailed evaluation before any potential agreement.
