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LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Apr, 2026) Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said on Monday
the incumbent government had started taking practical measures to improve
railway tracks.
He said this while addressing a press conference at Pakistan Railways
Headquarters after inaugurating a modernized reservation office and digital
central control office.
The minister said that a new track would be laid from Rawalpindi to Lahore,
aiming to reduce travel time to almost 2 hours and 20 minutes.
He said: “Work on laying a new 480-km track from Rohri to Karachi will begin
from first week of September.”
“Nokundi to Rohri is a 900-km-long track. Out of this, 400 km will be newly
constructed and 500 km will be upgraded,” he added.
The Railway Minister said that work would also be carried out on the Nokundi–Taftan track.
He said that by December 25, a new 105-km track connecting Thar coal would also be
completed.
Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said that to strengthen coordination among provinces,
track access legislation had been made so that people from all provinces could
benefit from the rail network. Sindh would sign MoUs related to different routes
within the next 20 to 25 days, while Balochistan had already signed one.
On August 14, the Peoples Train would be inaugurated in Quetta, he maintained.
He further said that meetings were also held between the Railways Chairman
and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary on the same formula to facilitate
people.
He said that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz wanted to complete the
Rawalpindi–Lahore, new railway track project during her current tenure.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, had given the task of digitizing
Pakistan Railways, he said and added that FWO had an important role in
this effort.
He said that Pakistan Railways had signed a contract with FWO, and a
control room had been inaugurated. Before June 30, seven more control
centres would be established.
He said GPS-based trackers would be installed to ensure real-time tracking,
with cooperation from FWO.
The Railways Minister said the first safe and smart station was established
in Rawalpindi, and the second would be set up in Lahore. Similar stations
would be established in all major cities.
Wi-Fi facilities were available in all major railway stations, Hanif Abbasi added.
The minister said that all efforts were being made to meet the target of generating
Rs 100 billion in revenue.
He said that railways marketing department would be digitized, and automobile
transportation by rail would begin this year.
He added that the railways would transport 700,000 tons of edible oil annually,
generating Rs 2 billion per year.
He stated that transporting automobiles would generate approximately Rs 150 to 200 million per day.
The minister said that by June 30, 43 GEU-40 locomotives would be dedicated to freight operations.
He said, "Pakistan Railways is focusing on earning 80% of its revenue from freight and 20% from
passengers."
He said the federal government had provided Rs 6 billion subsidy to prevent
an increase in passenger and freight fares.
He said that four rakes of Awam Express would be launched by May 30,
with 40 new coaches.
Allama Iqbal Express would also be upgraded, he said and added that
efforts were also being made to ensure punctuality.
He stated, "The Sahiwal power plant is the biggest revenue source for the
railways, and its supply is currently at its peak."
Consignments related to power plant would soon arrive and the issue
related to the power plant would be resolved by May 10.
He said that significant focus was being placed on passenger facilitation.
He thanked the Punjab government for constructing a 600-car parking facility
for railway passengers.
He said that the archaeology department would begin restoration work
on Taxila and Lahore railway stations within the next 8 to 10 days, restoring
them to their original shape.
Pakistan Railways Secretary/Chairman Syed Mazhar Ali Shah and other
officials were also present.
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