LAHORE: Federal Minister for Railways Haneef Abbasi has announced plans to digitize the entire railway system in collaboration with the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU). Starting June 22, train services will also commence from Lahore to Russia, including outsourcing several trains and hospitals.
Speaking to the media in Multan, Minister Haneef Abbasi stated that railways achieved its highest revenue in its 77-year history by May 31.
To further increase revenues, goods trains will be operated, and efforts are underway to clean up railway stations and colonies under the Clean Punjab campaign. Fruitful trees and plants will also be planted along railway tracks.
The Minister highlighted the Prime Minister’s desire to connect Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan via railway tracks. To achieve the success of Thar Express and Reko Diq, modern lines must be established, and progress must be made.
He announced plans to soon launch free Wi-Fi services for passengers and improve food quality through Punjab Food Authority to regain travelers’ trust and increase railway income.
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Currently, 5,200 children are receiving education in railways’ 14 schools, and outsourcing will further enhance the standard of education in railway schools.
Regarding recent tensions with India, he praised the Army Chief for exemplary performance in recent Pak-India clashes, emphasizing Pakistan’s strong defense capabilities, which the world acknowledges.
Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi said that a train service from Lahore to Russia will also start on June 22, 2025along with the outsourcing of several trains and hospitals.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Railways spokesperson claimed that the reservation system has been fully restored. Previously, technical faults in the main server of the IT system of the Railway Ministry’s central office in Karachi caused difficulties in ticket booking for more than 12 hours.
Previously, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has encouraged efforts to enhance trade relations with Central Asian countries by expanding the country’s railway network.
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During a railway-related meeting on Wednesday, the Prime Minister directed Pakistan Railways to expedite efforts to connect Gwadar with the railway network.
Earlier, Federal Minister Haneef Abbasi briefed the Prime Minister on ongoing reforms in the railway sector, highlighting significant investment opportunities in the railway sector.
He mentioned initiatives such as establishing modern information desks at major railway stations, outsourcing cleanliness systems at Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Multan stations, collaborating with provincial food authorities to monitor food standards on trains and stations, and restoring long-delayed services.
