Web desk: 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. The auction will be held on November 20, 2025.
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.
Pakistan Railways Open Auction
The Pakistan Railways has decided to outsource the operation of 11 passenger trains through an open auction to improve efficiency, upgrade services, and increase income.
This new system replaces the old bidding process, which had few participants and weak offers.
According to railway officials, the open auction will take place on November 20, 2025. The trains to be outsourced include Hazara Express, Bahauddin Zakariya Express, Millat Express, Badar Express, Ghauri Express, Rawal Express, Thal Express, Mohenjo Daro Passenger, Fareed Express, Mianwali Express, and Faiz Ahmad Faiz Passenger Train.
Officials said the previous system had many problems. Some financial bids were too low, and there were not enough bidders.
A total of Rs 7.9 billion was offered for nine trains, but Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi cancelled the bids. He ordered that future outsourcing be done through an open auction to make the process fair and transparent.
Besides passenger trains, Pakistan Railways also plans to outsource the management of luggage vans, brake vans, and related schools and hospitals.
