ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reviewed progress on Pakistan Railways’ modernisation, revenue plans and regional connectivity projects during a detailed meeting at the Prime Minister’s House.
Officials briefed the prime minister on ongoing reforms, including digitalisation, outsourcing, infrastructure upgrades and steps to improve passenger services. The premier said railways remain “the backbone of any country’s economy and communications” and praised the efforts of Railway Minister Hanif Abbasi and his team.
PM Shehbaz directed the Railways Ministry to hire international legal and economic experts, particularly for regional connectivity projects, and instructed that the public-private partnership model be adopted for handling railway land and property.
The meeting was informed that seven digital portals under the RABTA platform are now operational, with 56 trains and 54 stations shifted to the system. Free Wi-Fi is active at major stations in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad, with plans to extend it to 48 more stations by the end of December. A Freight Online Booking System has also been launched.
A pilot digital weighing bridge has begun at Karachi City Station and will be extended to Pipri, Karachi Cantt, Port Qasim, Lahore and Rawalpindi. Surveillance has been strengthened with 148 AI cameras installed at Rawalpindi Railway Station, while ATM machines and outsourced cleaning services are being rolled out nationwide.
Officials said four trains have already been outsourced, with advertisements issued for 11 more, expected to generate Rs8.5 billion. Outsourcing of 40 goods and brake vans is projected to add Rs820 million, while two cargo express trains under outsourcing are expected to generate Rs6.3 billion. Work is also under way to outsource railway hospitals, schools, colleges, rest houses and dry ports in Lahore, Islamabad and Azakhel. Meanwhile, 155 stations have been shifted to solar power.
The meeting was told that three associated entities — Railway Constructions Pakistan Limited, Pakistan Railways Freight Transportation Company and Pakistan Railways Advisory and Consultancy Service — have been closed. Strategies are being finalised for upgrading the Karachi-Kotri section of ML-1 and ML-3.
Work on the Thar rail connectivity project will proceed with the Sindh government. Officials also said the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul train service will be launched soon, while initial work continues on the Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (KUAP) corridor.
Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema and senior officials attended the meeting.
Separately, Pakistan Railways inaugurated the upgraded Lasani Express, which operates between Lahore and Sialkot. The revamped train includes 10 coaches, and its revised travel time is four hours and fifteen minutes.
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