US envoy hails Pakistan Railways reforms

ISLAMABAD: US Charge d’Affaires Natalie A Baker on Sunday visited the historical Golra Railway Station and Railway Museum here and said that the historical beauty, cultural appeal and heritage of the place reflected the country’s glorious past and progressive future.

She also declared the accompanying railway minister, Hanif Abbasi, a true reformist, who, she said, is modernising Pakistan Railways along contemporary lines.

Ms Baker praised the architectural elegance, heritage value and efficient management of the railway museum, declaring the visit a memorable and inspiring experience.

She took keen interest in the 19th and 20th century American-built locomotives and railway equipment displayed at the museum and said those rare artefacts represented a beautiful legacy of technical cooperation and historical ties between the US and Pakistan.The minister informed her about the historical, cultural and architectural significance of Golra Railway Station, established in 1882 during the British Raj as a key junction connecting Peshawar, Quetta and Karachi through railways.

He said that the railway station’s colonial architecture, stone masonry and robust structure stood as remarkable examples of 19th century railway engineering.Mr Abbasi noted that Golra Railway Station was not only among the oldest and most picturesque railway stations in the subcontinent but also symbolised Pakistan’s cultural heritage and historical continuity.He added that Pakistan Railways was upgrading the historical site along modern lines to transform it into a hub of heritage preservation and tourism promotion.

The minister said that Pakistan Railways was not only a national asset but also a symbol of cultural heritage, tourism and international connectivity.He said that the federal government was committed to aligning the country’s railway system with modern requirements while simultaneously preserving its rich historical legacy.