RAWALPINDI: Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi announced that train speeds between Rawalpindi and Lahore will increase to 160 kilometers per hour, reducing travel time to two hours.
Speaking to the media at the railway ministry, he said preparations are in progress to launch an international freight train service later this month. The freight train will run from Lahore to the Iranian border and then to Russia. Plans are also being developed for railway projects with Kazakhstan to boost trade with Central Asian countries.
He shared that a 20 percent discount on train fares will be offered during Eid, with five special trains scheduled for the occasion. The minister noted that Pakistan Railways is working to improve services and introduce new trains.
The minister reported that Pakistan Railways earned Rs83 billion in revenue over the past 11 months, a record for the organization. He mentioned that 1,413 new wagons are being built, with 500 designated for freight services. A new train service from Lahore to Narowal is set to begin on June 15.
He added that the international tendering process for the Royal Palm Express has been completed, and several projects are underway, including outsourcing eight hospitals and 14 schools to provide affordable medical care and education for employees’ children, similar to private institutions.
The minister said that authorities in all four provinces are working to improve food quality on trains. Front desks and train hostess services will also be introduced to enhance passenger experience.
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Anti-encroachment efforts, following the Punjab model, are ongoing to reclaim railway land worth billions of rupees, including station yards, commercial, agricultural, and residential properties. The minister highlighted improved coordination with the Punjab government, which has helped restart several projects stalled since 2016.
Under the Green Pakistan Programme, trees will be planted along railway tracks, and a Rs45 billion railway project for Punjab is in progress. The minister emphasized the importance of upgrading railways for transporting Reko Diq and Thar coal.
Three inactive freight and audit companies have been closed to improve efficiency, and plans are in place to modernize Margalla Railway Station. He also acknowledged railway employees’ cooperation and promised them free medical facilities.
Regarding earnings, passenger trains generated Rs42 billion, freight operations contributed Rs29 billion, and other sources added Rs12 billion. With one month left in the financial year, Pakistan Railways is on track to exceed its previous record of Rs88 billion.
Karachi Division led with Rs13 billion from passenger trains and Rs25 billion from freight. Lahore Division earned Rs10 billion from passenger trains and Rs0.75 billion from freight. Rawalpindi and Multan Divisions each earned Rs4 billion from passenger services.
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The minister noted that this year’s earnings are the highest in Pakistan Railways’ history, surpassing last year’s Rs77 billion for the same period.
Pakistan Railways officials confirmed the record revenue of Rs83 billion over the past 11 months, an increase of nearly Rs6 billion compared to last year. Passenger trains contributed Rs42 billion, freight trains Rs29 billion, and other sources Rs12 billion.
Karachi Division led with Rs13 billion from passenger trains and Rs25 billion from freight, followed by Lahore with Rs10 billion from passenger trains and Rs0.75 billion from freight. Rawalpindi and Multan Divisions each earned Rs4 billion from passenger services.
The minister stated that Pakistan Railways is being revitalized through hard work and commitment. Earlier, 30 new high-speed, high-capacity freight wagons were added to the network to modernize freight transport and support businesses.
