Work on Rohri-Karachi rail track to begin in Sept

KARACHI: Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi said on Monday that work on the 480-kilometre Rohri-Karachi track is set to begin in September at an estimated cost of $2 billion.

He made the announcement while addressing a ceremony in Karachi held to mark the initial commencement of The International School Pakistan Railways Campus Karachi, which he said was aimed at providing world-class education within a framework of national partnership and shared growth.

Sindh Governor Muhammad Nehal Hashmi, Railways Secretary Mazahar Ali Shah, GM Hafeezullah, DG Rubina Nasir and TIS CEO Taymur Mirza were among those present at the event.

Rohri-Karachi track upgrade

Speaking about the planned improvement of the Rohri-Karachi section of the main double line, Abbasi said this was the most difficult track, originally built in the 1860s. He said the prime minister had decided that the 480-kilometre stretch would be rejuvenated at an estimated cost of $2 billion, and that the foundation stone for the project was expected to be laid in September this year.

The minister also outlined steps being taken to improve railway stations, platforms and other passenger facilities. He said the process of complete digitisation of Pakistan Railways was under way and would be completed within one month.

Punjab rail agreement and other projects

Abbasi said Pakistan Railways and the Punjab government had signed an agreement to modernise and expand rail services across the province. According to him, the project includes the development of fast and regional routes and the introduction of modern trains, while the Punjab government will provide advanced Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) locomotives.

He also said Pakistan would soon begin development of a railway track linking Central Asia and Europe through Iran. Abbasi said work on the 900-kilometre Rohri-Naukundi section had already started on the prime minister’s directives, while the tendering process for laying a new railway track on the 87-kilometre Naukundi-Taftan section had also begun.

Responding to a question, the minister said a project to connect Thar coal with the railway network was also in progress. He added that the track from Islamkot to Chhor was expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Remarks on regional diplomacy

Referring to the heightened situation in the Middle East and Pakistan’s diplomatic role, Abbasi said the country had become the focus of global attention.

"We not only averted a conflict between two brotherly countries – Saudi Arabia and Iran – but also prevented the beginning of the Third World War through successful diplomacy and mediation efforts that the world will remember forever," he said, and attributed the achievement to the martyrs and personnel of Pakistan’s armed forces.

Governor’s remarks

Addressing the ceremony, Sindh Governor Muhammad Nehal Hashmi said railways remained a major and affordable means of travel for ordinary people. He said the institution not only connected different parts of Pakistan, but also linked the cultures, languages and hearts of people from various regions of the country.