KARACHI – Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi announced on Monday that work on the 480km long Rohri-Karachi track will start in September with an estimated cost of $2 billion. The minister was addressing a ceremony held in Karachi to mark the initial commencement of The International School Pakistan Railways Campus Karachi aimed at delivering world-class education within a framework of national partnership and common growth.
Governor Sindh Nehal Hashmi, Secretary Railways Mazahar Ali Shah, GM Hafeezullah, DG Rubina Nasir, CEO TIS Taymur Mirza, and others attended the ceremony.
Most Difficult Track
Elaborating the measures for improvement of the Rohri-Karachi section of the main double line, the minister said that it is the most difficult track built in the 1860s. The prime minister has decided that the 480km long Rohri-Karachi track will be rejuvenated with an estimated cost of $2 billion, and the foundation stone of the work is expected to be laid in September this year.
Digitisation of Pakistan Railways
The minister elaborated various measures for improvement of railway stations, platforms, and other facilities and informed that the process of complete digitisation of Pakistan Railways was underway and will be completed within a period of one month.
Punjab Agreement
Abbasi said that Pakistan Railways and the Punjab Government had inked an agreement to modernise and expand rail services across the province. The project includes the development of fast and regional routes in the province and the introduction of modern and state-of-the-art trains, while the Punjab government will provide advanced Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) locomotives.
Pakistan’s Diplomatic Role
While referring to the escalated situation in the Middle East and the diplomatic role of Pakistan in defusing the tension, the minister said Pakistan had become the centre of the attention of the entire world. “We not only averted a conflict between two brotherly countries – Saudi Arabia and Iran – but also prevented the beginning of the Third World War through successful diplomacy and mediation efforts that the world will remember forever,” he noted and attributed the achievement to martyrs and personnel of Pakistan’s valiant armed forces.
Central Asia-Europe Connection
Abbasi said Pakistan is going to start development of a railway track connecting Central Asia and Europe via Iran soon. The work on the 900km long Rohri-Naukundi section has already been initiated on the directives of the premier, and the tendering process for laying off a new railway track on the 87km Naukundi-Taftan section has been started.
Thar Coal Connection
Responding to a query, he maintained that a project to connect Thar Coal with the railway line was under way, and the track from Islamkot to Chhor is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Governor’s Remarks
Sindh Governor Muhammad Nehal Hashmi, addressing the occasion, said that Railways is not only the major and cheaper source of travel for the common man, but it also connects the entire Pakistan and the culture, languages, and hearts of people belonging to different regions of the country.
Analysis: A Major Infrastructure Push
The $2 billion rejuvenation of the Rohri-Karachi track is a major infrastructure project. The line, built in the 1860s, is the most difficult track in Pakistan’s railway network. Upgrading it will improve connectivity between Sindh’s interior and the port city of Karachi.
The digitisation of Pakistan Railways within one month is an ambitious timeline. If successful, it would modernise operations, improve efficiency, and enhance passenger experience.
The agreement with the Punjab government to modernise rail services in the province, including the introduction of DMU locomotives, suggests that the federal government is serious about improving rail connectivity.
The planned railway track connecting Central Asia and Europe via Iran is a strategic project. It would transform Pakistan into a transit hub, connecting the landlocked Central Asian republics to global markets.
The connection of Thar Coal to the railway line will facilitate the transport of coal from the Thar coalfield to power plants across the country, reducing dependence on imported fuel.
