LAHORE: Bangladesh has shown strong interest in buying freight wagons and passenger coaches from Pakistan Railways after Pakistan offered them at lower prices than other countries. A two-member Bangladeshi delegation, led by Mr Farhad Islam, Secretary for International Organisations and D-8 Commissioner, along with High Commissioner Mohammad Iqbal Hussain Khan, visited the Pakistan Railways carriage factory in Islamabad and the Mughalpura Workshop in Lahore. They met with Muhammad Nasir Khalili, Chief Mechanical Engineer, who briefed them on the workshops' technical capabilities and projects. A documentary was shown highlighting Pakistan Railways' operational strengths. Mr Khalili said, "Pakistan and Bangladesh are brotherly countries sharing a common history, culture, and heritage, and that there exists immense potential for cooperation between the two nations, particularly in the railway sector." The delegation toured the Mughalpura Locomotive Workshop and learned about locomotive maintenance and manufacturing. They described their visit as "informative, productive, and encouraging," praising Pakistan Railways' expertise. Mr Islam said, "Our visit stands as a clear testament to the strengthening bonds of friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh." Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi expressed his intent to boost railway-to-railway cooperation, calling it beneficial. Pakistan Railways already supplies coaches and wagons to Sri Lanka, Nepal, Chile, and Argentina, reflecting "modern, indigenous manufacturing capability," the minister said. Mr Khalili added that Bangladeshi experts will soon visit Pakistan for a detailed technical evaluation. Pakistan had exported rolling stock to Bangladesh before in the 1980s, and to Sri Lanka in the late 1990s and 2000s. "Bangladesh was dealing with India regarding the provision of wagons and coaches. But now Dhaka has shown its interest in us for this purpose," he told Dawn. The delegation's visit included the Islamabad carriage factory earlier. This deal suggests Pakistan is becoming a strong, cost-effective alternative for Bangladesh’s railway needs.