The federal government has taken a major step to transform Pakistan Railways into a modern and efficient transport institution by approving a comprehensive reform roadmap. The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reviewed the goals related to reforms in various sectors of the railways, infrastructure upgradation, private investment and digital transformation.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, a detailed briefing was given in the meeting on the current performance, financial challenges and future development plans of Pakistan Railways. Officials said that the aim of the new roadmap is to increase the share of the railways in both passenger and freight sectors and make the institution financially stable.
The government’s new strategy has given central importance to improving railway governance, introducing modern technology, upgrading tracks and involving the private sector. In addition, special attention will also be paid to modern coaches, improvement of stations and increasing facilities for passengers.
Addressing the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan Railways can become an important pillar of the country’s transport system, provided that it is aligned with modern requirements. He said that development in the freight sector is essential for the financial recovery of the railways and there is a need to introduce world-class reforms in this sector.
The meeting also discussed the progress of ML-1, ML-2 and ML-3 projects. These projects aim to modernize the country’s vital railway network and reduce travel time. According to officials, practical work on the ML-1 project is expected to begin during 2026, which will significantly increase the capacity of the railway system from Karachi to Peshawar.
According to analysts, a large portion of freight in Pakistan is still transported through roads, which increases transport costs and pressure on roads. If the railway network is made effective, not only will the cost of doing business be reduced but traffic problems on national highways can also be reduced.
The Prime Minister also stressed on the promotion of environment-friendly transport on this occasion. He said that a modern railway system will be helpful in reducing carbon emissions and achieving the national goals of sustainable development.
Economists believe that private sector involvement and the public-private partnership model can create new investment opportunities for Pakistan Railways. At the same time, the revenue generated from better utilization of railway land can be spent on infrastructure improvements.
According to observers, the government’s new reform roadmap is a serious attempt to revive Pakistan Railways. If the plan is implemented effectively, it can lead to positive outcomes not only for the transport sector but also for the overall national economy and further strengthen Pakistan’s regional connectivity.
