Shehbaz Sharif Drives Pakistan Railways Upgrade
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said a modern railway system is crucial for Pakistan’s economy and communication. He urged Pakistan Railways to become more efficient, connected, and revenue-driven. The PM instructed top legal and economic experts to lead major projects and recommended public-private partnerships for managing railway land and property.
Digital Transformation and Station Upgrades
Officials briefed the PM on the progress of the ‘Rabta’ initiative. Seven digital portals are now live, 56 trains are integrated, and 54 stations are fully digitised. Free Wi-Fi is available at Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad, with plans to extend service to 48 more stations by December 31.
An online freight booking system has launched, and a pilot digital weighing bridge began at Karachi City Station. The facility will expand to Pipri, Karachi Cantonment, Port Qasim, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. In addition, 148 AI surveillance cameras are active at Rawalpindi station. Cleanliness services have been outsourced, and high-quality waiting areas and information desks now serve passengers at major stations.
Outsourcing and Regional Connectivity
Four passenger trains are already outsourced, while tenders for 11 more will generate Rs8.5 billion. Forty luggage and brake vans have been outsourced, expected to bring Rs820 million. Cargo express trains will generate an additional Rs6.3 billion.
Railway hospitals, schools, colleges, rest houses, and dry ports are being outsourced in Lahore, Islamabad, and Azakhail. Work is ongoing to upgrade the Karachi–Kotri section of Main Line-1-K and Main Line-3. Regional projects include the Thar Rail Connectivity and Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul train service, which will resume soon. Preliminary work is also underway on the Kazakhstan–Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan rail corridor.
In addition, 155 stations now run on solar energy. To streamline operations, three organisations—Railway Constructions Pakistan Limited, Pakistan Railway Freight Transportation Company, and Pakistan Railway Advisory & Consultancy Services, have been closed.
