Pakistan, US move to expand railway cooperation with focus on investment, modernization

• Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi holds talks with US Ambassador Natalie Baker in Islamabad

• Both sides discuss American investment in railway infrastructure and advanced technologies

• US envoy assures support for encouraging American firms to join Pakistan Railways projects

• Abbasi highlights regional rail connectivity projects linking Central Asia with Gwadar via Pakistan

• Discussions focus on locomotives, freight operations, railway wagons and modernization plans

 ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi on Friday held a meeting with United States Ambassador to Pakistan Natalie A. Baker to discuss Pakistan-US bilateral relations and avenues for expanding cooperation in the railway sector, with particular emphasis on foreign investment and the modernization of Pakistan Railways.

“During the meeting, both sides agreed to explore new investment opportunities in Pakistan Railways’ infrastructure and modern technology sectors,” said a Railways Ministry statement posted its X account.

Federal Minister for Railways held a detailed meeting with U.S. Ambassador to discuss Pakistan-U.S. relations and cooperation in the railway sector.

The U.S. Ambassador assured support for promoting foreign investment in Pakistan Railways and agreed to explore opportunities in… pic.twitter.com/8RcnFjVyr1

— Ministry of Railways - Pakistan (@MOR_Pakistan) May 22, 2026

The discussions focused on attracting American investment in locomotives, railway wagons, freight operations and advanced railway technologies aimed at upgrading Pakistan’s rail network and enhancing operational efficiency.

Ambassador Baker assured support for encouraging US companies and investors to participate in railway development projects in Pakistan and expressed interest in exploring opportunities related to railway infrastructure and modern transport technology, the statement said.

The two sides also agreed to further strengthen and expand the decades-long cooperation between Pakistan Railways and the American company Wabtec.

Speaking on the occasion, Hanif Abbasi said the presence of 254 American-made locomotives in Pakistan Railways’ fleet reflected the longstanding and robust partnership between Pakistan and the United States in the railway sector, the ministry said.

The minister said Pakistan Railways was introducing a new Track Access Policy designed to facilitate international partnerships and attract foreign investment into the country’s rail infrastructure and transport network.

He invited American investors and companies to take advantage of the emerging opportunities in Pakistan’s railway sector as the government moves to modernize the system and expand regional connectivity, the statement said.

Highlighting Pakistan’s broader regional transport vision, the minister said the country was actively pursuing major railway connectivity projects linking Central Asian states through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to Nokkundi and Gwadar, aimed at enhancing regional trade and transit integration.