ISLAMABAD – Pakistan is moving ahead with an ambitious $10 billion railway expansion plan to connect the country with Central Asia, Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi announced on Saturday.
Speaking during his visit to Faisalabad Railway Station, Abbasi revealed that an 850-kilometer track will be built from Kohat to Mazar-i-Sharif, with a further 75-kilometer extension to Uzbekistan. The project is part of the government’s broader vision to modernize railway infrastructure, enhance regional connectivity, and provide world-class facilities to passengers.
He said that Pakistan Railways is undergoing major digitalization, with a fully automated ticketing system, operational train tracking, and ATM installations at major stations. WiFi services, in collaboration with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, will be available at 40 stations, starting from Lahore and extending to Faisalabad, Karachi, and Hyderabad.
Abbasi announced that the outsourcing of 9–11 passenger and freight trains, rest houses, saloons, hospitals, and schools will be completed by September 30 to improve services and boost revenue. Special saloons, previously reserved for officials, are now available for public rental.
The Punjab government has allocated Rs. 50 billion for upgrading eight routes, including Lahore–Faisalabad and Lahore–Kot Addu, while Rs. 250 billion is set aside for a double track and modern signaling between Lahore and Rawalpindi, cutting travel time by up to 2.5 hours.
Additional projects include a Rs. 2.35 billion linear park between Shahdara and Raiwind, station upgrades in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Taxila, and key track improvements in Balochistan. Feasibility studies for the Sibi–Rohri and Rohri–Karachi sections are underway, with construction planned for 2026.
The Thar Coal track is expected to be ready by April 2026, reducing electricity generation costs significantly, while the Reko Diq link is set for completion by 2028. Under the Track Access Fee policy, the private sector will be allowed to operate its own trains.
Faisalabad Station’s modernization, supported by local traders, will benefit up to 10,000 passengers daily, strengthening its role as an industrial hub.
