ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (MoFE&PT) is planning to expand the Pink Bus Service in Islamabad to make travel safer and more convenient for working women and girl students.
According to a newspaper report, the ministry aims to extend the free transport service to more rural and suburban areas of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). It also plans to deploy trained female staff and security personnel to ensure women’s safety during travel.
The ministry will also set up a regular feedback system to listen to passengers’ concerns and work closely with local authorities to design routes connecting educational institutions and workplaces.
The official said that monitoring and evaluation of the service are already underway to maintain quality, efficiency, and responsiveness to women’s transport needs.
Launched under the special directives of the Prime Minister, the Pink Bus Service currently runs 22 buses in five major rural sectors of Islamabad during peak hours—6:00 to 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 to 2:00 p.m. The service benefits over 4,000 women and girl students daily.
The source clarified that the project is being managed and funded entirely by the ministry, without any involvement from the Capital Development Authority (CDA).
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A third-party evaluation confirmed the service’s success in providing a secure and reliable transport facility, noting that it has made commuting easier and more comfortable for women while boosting their confidence and mobility.
The ministry is now considering several improvements, such as increasing the number of buses, expanding routes, adjusting timings, raising service frequency, and improving public awareness through clear route and stop information. These upgrades, the source said, depend on the availability of funds in the 2025–26 fiscal year.
CDA and Pakistan Railways Finalise Islamabad-Rawalpindi Train Project
Meanwhile, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Pakistan Railways have finalised a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to operate a new train service between Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
On the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the CDA will carry out a feasibility study for the project. The train will run from Margalla Railway Station to Saddar Rawalpindi to facilitate citizens.
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Sources said that the authorities are taking all possible measures to ensure the success of this project, as a similar train service launched in the 1990s was discontinued after three months due to a lack of passengers.
“In 1996, a train service was started from Margalla Station to Saddar (Marir), but it was closed because only a few passengers used to travel per trip,” said an official, recalling that even additional coach and wagon services could not attract enough ridership.
Margalla Station, located in Sector H-9, is an institutional area that houses several universities and colleges.
Electric Train and Feeder Bus Network Planned for Twin Cities
The new project aims to launch an electric train along with a feeder bus network to improve connectivity and reduce traffic congestion between the twin cities.
At present, the metro bus service already operates between Saddar Rawalpindi and Pak Secretariat, serving thousands of passengers every day. Officials said that the new project would complement this service.
They added that instead of a traditional train, a modern high-speed electric train will be introduced, while feeder buses will help commuters reach both stations easily. Railways may also extend the track from Margalla Station to 7Up Chowk, linking it with 9th Avenue, where the metro bus already operates.
“This service will likely succeed, as many universities and colleges are near Sector H-9,” said an official.
Although the MoU has not yet been made public, it is expected that the CDA will import and operate the trains, while Pakistan Railways will provide and maintain the track.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has already approved the plan, directing Railway Minister Hanif Abbasi and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to ensure that the service starts by March 23 next year.
An official confirmed that the draft MoU has been finalised and will soon be signed between the two departments.
The meeting to finalise the draft was chaired by CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa and attended by senior officials from Pakistan Railways.
According to a press release, the meeting reviewed the proposed route, layout plan, business model, and eco-friendly technology for the train project. The CDA and Pakistan Railways are expected to formally sign the MoU soon.
