Freight Sector Prioritized, Focus on Promoting Private Investment and Establishing a Modern Railway System
Islamabad (Izhar Khan Niazi)
An important meeting regarding reforms in Pakistan Railways was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, during which a comprehensive strategic roadmap aimed at improving the railway sector, ensuring financial sustainability, and developing a system aligned with modern requirements was approved.
Addressing the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan Railways possesses tremendous potential to provide safe, high-quality, and affordable travel facilities for the public, while also playing a significant role in the freight transportation sector. He stated that freight services are the backbone of the railway system and therefore the freight sector should be promoted on a priority basis.
The Prime Minister directed that internationally renowned experts and consultants be engaged to ensure effective implementation of the railway reforms roadmap and to modernize the institution. He further instructed that private sector investment in Pakistan Railways be encouraged through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), and that all available opportunities in this regard be fully utilized.
Shehbaz Sharif said that improving the railway system would help reduce traffic congestion on roads, save fuel, and provide an efficient alternative mode of transportation. He added that a modern and efficient railway system would also play an important role in reducing carbon emissions and promoting environmentally friendly travel options.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the development of Pakistan Railways would not only strengthen regional connectivity but also open new avenues for economic activity and trade opportunities across the country. He directed that revenue generated through private sector investment on railway-owned land should be utilized for the improvement and expansion of the railway system.
The meeting was given a detailed briefing on the proposed reforms, targets, and various aspects of the strategic roadmap for Pakistan Railways. It was informed that under the roadmap, targets have been set to increase market share in both passenger and freight sectors, while service quality improvement, enhanced network capacity, and financial sustainability would serve as the fundamental pillars of the plan.
The roadmap includes measures to improve railway administration and governance, implement digital systems, expand railway lines, enhance regional connectivity, increase private sector participation, and strengthen the institution’s financial stability. In addition, the induction of modern coaches, improved passenger facilities at trains and railway stations, the upgradation of ML-1, ML-2, ML-3 and other railway tracks, as well as the organizational restructuring of Pakistan Railways, are also part of the reform plan.
The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, Adviser on Privatization Muhammad Ali, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, and senior officials from relevant institutions.