Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi announced that several major projects — including the digitalization, modernization, and outsourcing of Pakistan Railways — will be completed this year, while Faisalabad Railway Station will be upgraded to international standards within the next 45 days.
During a visit to Faisalabad Railway Station on Saturday, Abbasi revealed plans for a $10 billion, 850-kilometer railway track from Kohat to Mazar-i-Sharif, with a 75-kilometer extension into Uzbekistan. He said these initiatives, part of the Prime Minister’s vision, aim to modernize rail operations, boost regional connectivity, and provide passengers with world-class services.
As part of the digitalization drive, ticketing has been fully automated, a train tracking system is operational, and ATM machines have been installed at major stations. In collaboration with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, free WiFi will be introduced at 40 stations, starting from Lahore and expanding to Faisalabad, Karachi, Hyderabad, and others.
The outsourcing process, set to be completed by September 30, will cover nine to eleven passenger and freight trains, rest houses, saloons, hospitals, schools, and other facilities to improve service quality and increase revenue. Special saloons, once reserved for government officials, are now available for public rental at reasonable rates.
Abbasi noted that the cleanliness system has been modernized, with solid waste management companies already operating at multiple stations, and food authorities given direct access to ensure quality standards for passengers.
Modern Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) trains with 650-passenger capacity will be introduced on routes including Lahore–Faisalabad, Narowal, and Kasur, with the option to expand capacity as needed. The Punjab government is investing Rs. 50 billion in railway upgrades, including eight routes, while Rs. 250 billion has been allocated for a new double track and modern signaling system between Lahore and Rawalpindi, cutting travel time by up to 2.5 hours.
Other projects include the construction of a Rs. 2.35 billion linear park from Shahdara to Raiwind, station upgrades in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Taxila, and the 50-kilometer Sheikh Zayed–Kuchlak section in Balochistan. Rohri Railway Station will be upgraded in partnership with the Sindh government, and a modern Karachi station is expected to open on September 10.
Feasibility studies for the Sibi–Rohri and Rohri–Karachi sections are underway, with construction expected to start by June next year. The Thar Coal track is slated for completion by April, cutting electricity generation costs, while the Reko Diq rail link is planned for 2028 to enhance mineral transport.
Under the Track Access Fee policy, private operators can now run their own wagons and trains to encourage competition. Abbasi also announced that Faisalabad Station’s transformation will be carried out with the support of local traders, and Gujranwala Station will be upgraded with funding from Aleem Khan.
He concluded that the upgraded Faisalabad Station will directly benefit 8,000–10,000 daily passengers and further cement the city’s role as an industrial and commercial hub.
