ISLAMABAD: The federal government has approved a high-speed rail project to connect Islamabad and Rawalpindi, aiming to reduce travel time between the two cities to just 20 minutes. The decision was made during a high-level meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi on Monday.
The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, senior federal officials, representatives of the Capital Development Authority, the Rawalpindi commissioner, Islamabad police, and Frontier Corps. Interior Minister Naqvi said the project reflected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s commitment to public relief and modern transport, adding that thousands of citizens would benefit from fast and reliable commuting.
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi described the project as a milestone for public welfare. He said it would provide quick and convenient travel while saving time and fuel. Talal Chaudhry termed the service a low-cost and high-speed solution that would ease road congestion between the twin cities.
The train will operate from Margalla Station in Islamabad to Saddar Station in Rawalpindi. Pakistan Railways will handle track infrastructure, while the Capital Development Authority will manage the service. Officials said the project would also promote economic activity and environmental sustainability.
The government announced that state-of-the-art trains would be imported to ensure modern, comfortable, and efficient operations. The framework agreement for the project is expected to be signed next week.
