Govt undertaking ‘historic overhaul’ of ageing rail tracks: Hanif Abbasi

LAHORE: Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said on Monday that deteriorating railway tracks remain the main problem facing Pakistan Railways, and claimed the present government has initiated work of a scale not seen in the country’s 78-year history to address the issue.

Speaking to journalists in Lahore, the minister said, ‘We all know well, what disease is afflicting the Pakistan Railways. I know it, and there is no doubt that the biggest issue faced by the PR is the track.’ He added, ‘On this [issue], the work the sitting government has launched was never been done in the 78-year history of Pakistan.’

Abbasi said civil works for the 480-kilometre Rohri/Sukkar/Karachi track project, which involves removing the existing line and laying a new one, would begin in September 2026. He also said the Lahore-Rawalpindi track is planned for replacement with financial support from the Punjab government.

According to the minister, travel time on the Lahore-Karachi route, particularly from Rohri and Sukkar, would be reduced significantly after the new tracks are laid. Referring to the Lahore-Rawalpindi section, he said, ‘After laying new track on Lahore-Rawalpindi route, the train would complete the 4-5 hours journey in just two hours and 20 minutes. This will happen with the launch of a high-speed train on this route, in collaboration with the Punjab government.’

Track upgrade plans in multiple provinces

The minister said the 900-kilometre Nokundi-Rohri line would also be upgraded, with 400 kilometres of new track to be laid and 500 kilometres of the existing line to be improved. He added that the Nokundi-Taftan track is also being upgraded.

Abbasi further said that 105 kilometres of new track would be laid in cooperation with the Sindh government to facilitate the transport of Thar coal, and said work on that project would start on Dec 25 this year.

He said Pakistan Railways has, for the first time, involved all provinces, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in efforts to improve branch-line routes through track rehabilitation. Abbasi said meetings had been held with the KP chief secretary and other relevant officials, and expressed hope that the province would allocate funds for upgrading railway links between different cities.

He said a memorandum of understanding has already been signed with the Punjab government, under which the chief minister has committed funding for the improvement of branch-line routes. Abbasi added that the Punjab chief minister is also interested in supporting the laying of a new track for high-speed train operations on the Lahore-Rawalpindi route, while Sindh and Balochistan are also coordinating with Pakistan Railways.

Digitisation, freight and stations

Abbasi said that on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan Railways has begun digitising its major departments, including control rooms, to monitor train operations.

He said the department has also, for the first time, started work on manufacturing wagons for transporting vehicles from car manufacturing plants to different destinations, which he said would help generate Rs2 billion annually in freight revenue.

‘We are also planning to allocate as many as 40 locomotives for freight operations alone. This is being done just to increase the freight income by 80pc of the total PR’s income,’ the minister said.

He said the first ‘safe and smart’ railway station has been established in Rawalpindi, while the second will be set up in Lahore. Similar facilities, he added, are planned for other major cities. He also said Wi-Fi is available at all major railway stations.

The minister said efforts are under way to achieve Pakistan Railways’ Rs100 billion revenue target. He added that the railways marketing department would also be digitised, and that automobile transportation by rail would begin this year.

Abbasi said Pakistan Railways would transport 700,000 tons of edible oil annually, generating Rs2 billion per year. He also described the Sahiwal coal power plant as the railways’ largest source of revenue and said supplies for the plant are currently at their peak. He said consignments related to the power plant would arrive soon and claimed the issue would be resolved by May 10.

He further said that, following the prime minister’s directions, Pakistan Railways has not raised passenger fares or freight charges despite a sharp increase in diesel prices.

On passenger services, Abbasi said four refurbished Awam Express rakes, each consisting of 10 coaches, would soon be put into operation. He added that passengers would then also see new rakes for the Allama Iqbal Express.