ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi announced on Monday that Pakistan Railways will run five special trains and offer a 20 per cent discount on fares during the three days of Eid-ul-Azha.
Addressing the media, Abbasi described the past 11 months as a remarkable period for Pakistan Railways, highlighting significant progress. He revealed that the department’s revenue reached Rs83 billion, largely due to improved operations over the last four months.
The minister broke down the earnings: Rs42 billion from passenger services, Rs29 billion from freight, and Rs13 billion from other sources. For the first time, Pakistan Railways can cover salaries and medical expenses for its staff entirely from its own income.
Abbasi emphasised the importance of freight services as a major revenue source worldwide and mentioned plans to outsource these operations to boost efficiency. He also noted that leased railway land, including the Royal Palm Golf and Country Club, is generating income through transparent outsourcing aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision.
A budget of Rs1 billion has been allocated to upgrade eight railway hospitals, which will also be outsourced. Railway employees will continue to receive free medical treatment, while non-employees will pay for services. Additionally, fourteen railway schools are being outsourced to provide facilities comparable to private schools, with railway staff children receiving fee concessions.
The minister highlighted ongoing infrastructure improvements, including enhanced cleanliness at Chaklala and Margalla stations and stricter monitoring of food services with support from provincial food authorities. To improve the passenger experience, front-desk services and train hostesses will be introduced.
An anti-encroachment campaign modelled after Punjab’s efforts will be launched to reclaim valuable railway land, including station yards and residential, commercial, and agricultural areas. Abbasi said the Punjab government is fully supporting these initiatives.
Several stalled projects since 2016 are now being revived, with plans to plant trees along railway tracks under the Green Pakistan initiative. A Rs45 billion development plan for Punjab aims to increase train speeds to 60 km per hour, supported by the production of 1,413 new wagons.
Starting June 15, a new passenger train will operate between Lahore and Narowal, coinciding with the dispatch of a freight train bound for Russia via Multan and Sindh. Work on a rail link with Kazakhstan is also progressing, which is crucial for transporting resources from the Reko Diq and Thar coal fields.
Abbasi confirmed the closure of three inactive companies related to freight and audit operations and said Margalla Railway Station would be modernised. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fulfilling all agreements with the media and expressed confidence in a bright future for Pakistan Railways.
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