ISLAMABAD IMTISAL BUKHARI
Federal Minister for Railways, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, has described 2025 as a landmark year for Pakistan Railways, noting that the department is on the verge of surpassing an annual revenue target of PKR 1 trillion for the first time in its history. So far, over PKR 93 billion in revenue has been collected, with an additional PKR 50 billion expected in the first half of the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Speaking at a meeting on Tuesday, Minister Abbasi highlighted key reforms and technological upgrades within the railway sector. The Safety Department has been upgraded to a full-fledged directorate, reducing accident rates from 0.09 percent to 0.04 percent, with no major incidents reported.
In a major technological push, Rawalpindi Railway Station has been transformed into the country’s first smart station, equipped with advanced cameras and security systems. Plans are underway to upgrade other major stations and install cameras inside trains by 2026.
The minister also announced that eight trains, including Shalimar, Pak Business, and Lasani, have been modernized in just eight months, with a goal to upgrade all trains nationwide by December 2026. Administrative transparency has been enhanced through e-filing, while ATMs, DVMs, and POS machines have been installed at stations.
Regarding land recovery, 394 acres of encroached railway land have been reclaimed in 2025, with a target to recover all railway land by December 2026. Service improvements include outsourcing cleaning and school management, ensuring 24-hour cleanliness at stations. Additionally, the new track construction project from Karachi to Rohri is in its final stages, with ground-breaking scheduled for July this year.
The developments signal a major transformation in Pakistan Railways, combining technological modernization, operational efficiency, and revenue growth.