ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi announced a massive surge in Pakistan Railways’ daily revenue following extensive reforms implemented over the past eight months.
Pakistan Railways has been earning Rs 300 million per day for the last fifteen days, marking an unprecedented revenue milestone and breaking a 30-year record, the minister said in a statement issued here on Tuesday.
He attributed this achievement to comprehensive reforms, modernization initiatives and the digital transformation of railway operations nationwide.
Hanif Abbasi said that both passenger and freight revenues have experienced extraordinary growth as a direct outcome of the reform agenda. “Pakistan Railways is now firmly moving on the path of progress,” he added.
He stated that while the government has focused on upgrading railway stations across the country, special attention is now being given to track improvement.
Hanif Abbasi said that agreements for the upgradation of the Nokundi–Rohri and Rohri–Karachi railway tracks have been finalized, and work will begin very soon.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fully implementing the Prime Minister’s vision within the current fiscal year, ensuring that all railway-sector objectives are achieved.
He said that all assigned targets will be completed by December 31, 2026.
Pakistan to outsource passenger trains
Pakistan Railways has decided to outsource the operations of 11 passenger trains through an open auction to improve services and increase revenue.
This new system will replace the old bidding process, which had fewer participants.
The trains included in the auction are Hazara Express, Bahauddin Zakaria Express, Millat Express, Badar Express, Ghauri Express, Rawal Express, Thal Express, Mohenjodaro Passenger, Farid Express, Mianwali Express and Faiz Ahmed Faiz Passenger Train.
According to railway officials, the old system had many issues. The financial bids for some trains were very low, and few companies took part.
For example, bids worth Rs 7.9 billion were received for nine trains, but Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi cancelled all bids and ordered that future outsourcing should be done through open auction.
Pakistan Railways also plans to outsource freight coaches, break vans, and its schools and hospitals to make operations more profitable.
Also read: Pakistan Railway Timetable and Routes for Major Cities
