Latest news with #PakistanRailways
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
PM inaugurates ‘Pak Business Express' train
LAHORE: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed his government's commitment to transforming Pakistan Railways into a modern, reliable, and affordable transport system for all citizens, not just the elite. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Pak Business Express and the newly-upgraded passenger facilitation centre at the Lahore Railway Station, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the station's recent improvements during his visit after a long gap. 'From a warm welcome to well-mannered receptionists, renovated CIP lounges, upgraded passenger waiting rooms, and a fully refurbished train with modern European-style dining and sleeper berths, the change is truly gratifying,' he said. He lauded the digitization of the ticketing system, the availability of Wi-Fi facilities, and the outsourcing of services to improve professionalism and efficiency. 'These services are for the common masses, not just a privileged class. This is a step towards turning railways into a best-in-class transportation system for both passengers and cargo freight,' PM Shehbaz remarked. The Prime Minister commended Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi, Secretary and Chairman Railways, and the team for their contributions, also acknowledging former minister Khawaja Muhammad Saad Rafique's '16 months of dedicated service to the railways department.' Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to ensure punctuality and transparent outsourcing of railway assets to make them profitable. He emphasized expanding the transformation across the national network, 'from Peshawar to Karachi, Rohri, and Quetta,' aiming to match global standards. He further said, 'The Almighty guides and supports every sincere effort. This is just the first step; we must struggle with dedication and transparency to serve the people of Pakistan.' The newly-launched Pak Business Express will run between Lahore and Karachi in 18 hours and 30 minutes, with economy-class fares set at Rs 5,100. In his address, PM Shehbaz also paid tribute to Pakistan's Armed Forces for their role in the recent four-day war with India, calling it 'short but highly dangerous.' He praised the military's conventional capabilities, including the Air Force's innovations, the Army's use of Al Fatah missiles, and the Navy's readiness. 'India believed Pakistan could only rely on nuclear deterrence, but conventional warfare supremacy has shattered that myth,' he said. Concluding the ceremony, the Prime Minister reiterated his pledge to make Pakistan Railways a modern, transparent, and people-focused institution. 'Together we can make railways a true engine of progress for Pakistan,' he said. Minister Hanif Abbasi thanked the Prime Minister for his leadership, crediting him with backing railways' digitization, service outsourcing, and the introduction of a cashless payment system. He noted the department had earned Rs 93 billion, installed escalators for differently-abled passengers, and improved cleanliness and punctuality. Abbasi also praised the Prime Minister's role during the recent conflict with India, saying his 'direct calls and strong foreign policy' pushed India onto the defensive while rallying international support for Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Arab News
7 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan launches digital payment services at train stations in modernization push
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi on Tuesday announced the launch of digital payment services at several train stations across the country, marking a significant milestone in the department's modernization efforts. The announcement follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Pakistan Railways and Allied Bank Limited in June to launch Point of Sale (POS) systems at 348 railway stations across the country. The installation of POS systems aims to modernize ticketing, simplify payment procedures and improve financial transparency within the railways department, according to Abbasi. "POS machines have started their work at some stations," he told reporters at the ceremony in Lahore. "God willing, we will be installing ATM machines and POS systems in 348 stations." Train passengers will now be able to purchase tickets and access other railway services using debit and credit cards, according to the minister. The POS systems are expected to enable faster and more efficient transactions, eliminating long queues and manual procedures. The initiative will also help Pakistan Railways boost revenue while curbing financial fraud, theft and accounting errors. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the ceremony as the chief guest and praised the efforts of both the current and former management of the railways department. In 2024, Pakistan Railways achieved a 40% revenue increase to Rs88 billion, according to Pakistani state media. The department added 229 new wagons, introduced 10 new trains, and enhanced passenger services with increased coach capacity and premium lounge dining cars. Alongside the latest initiative, Abbasi said, the department would also ensure improved inspection and stronger staff presence.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt unveils sweeping rail reforms
The government on Sunday outlined major reforms for Pakistan Railways, including an imminent agreement on the RohriKarachi section, a Rs50 billion allocation to upgrade the LahoreRawalpindi track, reducing travel time to two hours and the digitisation of the railway system. The development came as Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi addressed the "Meet the Press" event at the Lahore Press Club. Speaking on the occasion, the minister announced "sweeping reforms" to modernise the sector, highlighting improvements such as outsourcing cleaning services at seven stations across Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore, enhancing food quality, and installing free Wi-Fi at Lahore Railway Station. He highlighted key infrastructure upgrades, including a soon-to-be-finalised agreement for the RohriKarachi railway section and a Rs50 billion allocation by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to upgrade the Lahore-Rawalpindi track, reducing travel time to two hours. Escalators and information desks have been introduced at stations, and a 105-kilometer railway track for coal transport is set to be completed by April 30, reducing electricity costs from Rs15 to Rs4.5 per unit. Additionally, a business train with Wi-Fi-equipped coaches and high-quality dining will be inaugurated on July 29 by PM Shehbaz Sharif. The minister announced plans to digitise the railway system, link sixteen banks to the railways app, and install ATMs at 348 stations. To address inefficiencies, three railway companies have been shut down, and long-leave employees would be recalled. "Pakistan Railways is the pride of Pakistan," Abbasi declared, promising to make it profitable if the federal government covers pensions and salaries. He stressed that the railways issues stem not from labourers but from unnamed individuals who looted the system. He emphasised the need for investment in railways to boost the national economy, warning that major reforms are imminent and bureaucratic inefficiencies will not be tolerated. Addressing employment concerns, Abbasi revealed a compassionate approach to contract workers. "We could dismiss contract employees with a one-month salary, but instead, we are considering reassigning railway sanitation staff to their local areas," he shared, signaling a commitment to employee welfare. The "Suthra Punjab" initiative will be extended to Railway colonies, aiming to enhance living conditions for staff and their families. Abbasi also claimed unprecedented improvements in cleanliness across the railway system, stating, "The level of cleanliness we have now achieved in Railways has never been seen before." Cracking down on illegal activities, Abbasi issued a stern warning against ticketless travel and related offenses. "Smuggling and theft used to plague Railways. Now, anyone traveling without a ticket or aiding such activities will face imprisonment," he cautioned. To bolster security, Pakistan Railways has recruited 500 new personnel for the Railway Police and plans to acquire scanners and metal detectors using the department's own budget.
Express Tribune
20-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PR renews bid to outsource 11 trains
The Pakistan Railways has once again initiated efforts to run passenger trains in collaboration with the private sector, issuing a fresh advertisement to outsource operations of 11 trains. The trains selected for outsourcing include Hazara Express, Millat Express, Bahauddin Zakariya Express, Subak Kharam, Thal Express, Rawal Express, Badar Express, Ghauri Express, Ravi Express, Mohenjo Daro Passenger and Faiz Ahmad Faiz Passenger. According to official sources, the technical bids for the outsourcing process will be opened on August 12. Railway officials said that this was not the first attempt to bring the private sector on board for operating these trains as in a previous round, the PR had floated a similar tender for the same 11 trains. However, only two companies submitted bids and that too for Shalimar Express only. No bids were submitted for the remaining ten trains. In light of the lacklustre response, the PR has decided to reinitiate the outsourcing process for the same trains, hoping for broader interest this time around.
Express Tribune
20-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
ADB assesses feasibility of financing ML-1 project
Listen to article Experts from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Saturday inspected the Karachi to Rohri railway line, which forms a key section of the long-delayed Main Line-1 (ML-1) up-gradation project. ADB Chief Transport Planner Sangyoon Kim, accompanied by Pakistan Railways' chief engineer open lines, examined the 480-kilometre track. Senior railway officials including infrastructure specialists, divisional superintendents of Karachi and Sukkur and other representatives were also present. The ADB team is expected to meet the chief executive officer of Pakistan Railways, the additional general manager for infrastructure and Chinese experts currently working on the ML-1 project. According to officials, the ADB's fact-finding specialists are preparing a detailed report to assess the feasibility and potential of financing the Karachi-Rohri segment, which is part of the first ML-1 package. The proposed upgrading is vital not just for improving the country's railway system but also to support key economic projects. The completion of this section will ensure smoother and faster transportation of coal from Thar and easier access to strategic mineral resources like those in Reko Diq. The ML-1 project has been in the pipeline for nearly two decades. Its first feasibility report was prepared in the early 2000s but progress remained slow due to the lack of political will and consistent financial constraints. The project regained momentum after the launch of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project in 2015, when ML-1 was included as a strategic infrastructure scheme. Initially, China had shown keen interest in financing the entire ML-1 through concessionary loans. However, in later years, Beijing became hesitant, mainly due to Pakistan's worsening financial health, concerns over loan repayments and delays in other CPEC-related projects. The original ML-1 stretches over 1,872 kilometres, running from Karachi to Peshawar and passing through major cities like Hyderabad, Rohri, Multan, Lahore and Rawalpindi. It connects over 90 railway stations and has the capacity to handle more than 75% of passenger and freight traffic. Once completed, the project is expected to transform Pakistan Railways by reducing travel time by half, improving safety standards, increasing train speed up to 160 km per hour and significantly boosting freight capacity. It is expected to turn the country's outdated rail network into a modern, reliable and efficient transport system. Initially, the cost of upgrading ML-1 was estimated at around $6.8 billion. However, due to changing designs, economic instability and currency depreciation, the financial estimate has been revised multiple times. The current estimated cost is around $6.6 billion, though further changes are possible depending on scope adjustments and financing terms. China's reluctance to move forward with ML-1 financing has led Pakistan to approach other lenders, including the ADB. While the ADB has not yet committed funding for the entire project, their recent inspection and meetings indicate a strong interest in exploring different possibilities. Officials believe that if Pakistan is able to present a well-structured proposal and show improved project management capacity, the ADB may step in either fully or partially to fund initial phases. Pakistan Railways views ML-1 as a turning point for the sector's revival, but it is still unclear whether international lenders will step forward at a time when China has apparently pulled back. According to the officials, it will take some time – no one knows how much – before the ADB decides whether to finance the project or not, however, the railways at all levels is trying its best to get financing either entirely or partially, as train derailments in some sections are now becoming a routine, resulting in less passenger traffic.
