Pakistan Railways reopens bids to outsource 11 passenger trains

Pakistan Railways has reissued a tender to outsource operations of 11 passenger trains through public-private partnership, following an earlier failed attempt to attract adequate bids.

The trains listed for outsourcing include Hazara Express, Millat Express, Bahauddin Zakariya Express, Subak Kharam, Thal Express, Rawal Express, Badar Express, Ghauri Express, Ravi Express, Mohenjo Daro Passenger, and Faiz Ahmad Faiz Passenger. 

According to official sources, technical bids will be opened on August 12.

Railway officials confirmed that this is the second time the department has sought private sector participation for these trains. In the previous round, only two companies submitted proposals—and both were limited to Shalimar Express. No bids were received for the remaining ten services.

Due to the lack of interest, the authorities have relaunched the process in hopes of a wider response from potential operators this time.