The First Large-Scale Rail Transit Project in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor -- The Pakistan Lahore Orange Line Project has Officially Opened

On October 25, 2020, the Pakistan Lahore Orange Line Mass Transit Project, built by a Chinese company, was inaugurated by video link between Beijing, China and Lahore, capital of Pakistan's Punjab province.   Pakistan has officially entered the subway era as the country's first subway train departs with its siren.

The Orange Line Project is located in Lahore, the second largest city of Pakistan, with a total length of 27 kilometers and 26 stations.  It was officially signed on April 20, 2015.  It is the first large-scale rail transit project signed and implemented under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor under the "Belt and Road" Initiative, it is jointly contracted by China National Railway Group Co., Ltd. and China North Industries Co., LTD., China North Industries Group, implemented by China Railway International Co., Ltd. and North International Cooperation Co., LTD., and financed by the Export-Import Bank of China.

During the five years of project construction, the working teams of China and Pakistan have followed the requirements of the two governments to "advance the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor with high standards, well build and operate existing energy, transportation infrastructure, industrial parks and livelihood projects, and turn the corridor into a high-quality demonstration project for jointly building the “Belt and Road"".  To overcome a series of difficulties and challenges, such as tight construction schedule, weak infrastructure and environmental security risks, the project will be completed and handed over by October 2020, and the key projects of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will be completed with high quality.  In February 2020, North International Cooperation Co., Ltd. joined hands with Guangzhou Metro Group and Pakistan DW Company to form a joint venture to overcome the impact of COVID-19 and successfully signed an 8-year operation and maintenance contract with Pakistan for the Orange Line.

Yuan Jun, general manager of North International, said that the Lahore Orange Line Project, which adopts Chinese standards, Chinese technology and Chinese equipment, has for the first time realized the complete output of the whole industrial chain from design, manufacturing, construction to operation and maintenance of Chinese urban subway.  It has created more than 7,000 jobs for local people during the construction period, and will also create 2,000 jobs during the operation and maintenance phase.  Under the severe situation of the spread of the global epidemic, the operation and maintenance team has completed the preparatory work such as personnel recruitment, operation training, test run inspection and safety guarantee within just half a year, making full preparations for the official opening and operation of the Orange Line subway.

As a benchmark project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the Orange Metro Line has pioneered the metro era in Pakistan.  It will make the country have the most advanced urban rail transit operation system in South Asia, open up the economic artery running through the entire city of Lahore, provide advanced, efficient and safe transport services to more than 12 million people, and help improve the local economic and social development level.  We will further promote the steady growth of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which will become a new witness to the friendship between China and Pakistan.