Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi on Tuesday announced major developments aimed at transforming Pakistan Railways into a digitally modern, regionally connected transport network under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Speaking at the inauguration of the AD Ports office, Abbasi said that the government was undertaking comprehensive reforms in the rail sector, centered around digitization, the outsourcing of key services, and a renewed vision for regional integration.
He emphasized that these efforts align with Prime Minister Sharif’s broader modernization and public service delivery agenda. “The progress made so far will become even more evident in the coming weeks and months,” he added.
A cornerstone of the reform drive is a newly signed landmark agreement with Afghanistan, aimed at establishing a strategic railway corridor from Kohat to Mazar-e-Sharif. Abbasi highlighted its significance for landlocked Central Asian countries that currently lack direct access to seaports. “By offering a new trade route through Pakistan, the corridor has the potential to become a game changer for the entire region,” he stated.
The minister revealed that the $10 billion project is already moving forward, with feasibility studies expected to be completed by December 31. Of the total required investment, $5 billion has already been earmarked by Pakistan to initiate development.
He also disclosed plans to outsource both freight and passenger terminals to private investors, calling on business leaders—especially from the UAE and the overseas Pakistani community—to participate in high-potential ventures, such as the Royal Palm development in Lahore.
Abbasi further noted that major upgrades are in progress across Pakistan’s main railway lines, including ML-1, ML-2, and ML-3. He placed special emphasis on the Karachi–Rohri and Lahore–Rawalpindi sections, and announced that travel time between Lahore and Rawalpindi would soon be reduced to 2.5 hours—a milestone in Pakistan’s rail modernization efforts.
Turning to diplomatic matters, Abbasi praised the enduring brotherly ties between Pakistan and the UAE. He noted that Pakistan’s recent diplomatic and military resilience had significantly boosted its standing not only in the Gulf region but throughout the Muslim world.
“Pakistan’s recent success is a victory not only for the nation but for all Muslim countries who have stood in solidarity with its cause,” the minister said.
Concluding his remarks, he congratulated the people of Pakistan, its leadership, and armed forces on what he described as a “historic and dignified victory” that had enhanced national pride and inspired overseas Pakistanis.
Also addressing the ceremony were Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Mohammad Junaid Anwar. Other notable attendees included Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal and Federal Minister for Science and Technology Khalid Hussain Magsi.
At the end of the event, the management of AD Ports Group presented commemorative souvenirs to the federal ministers.
