Directs authorities to complete Pakistan Railways development projects within stipulated time
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs a meeting on the progress of the Pakistan Railways transformation plan. PHOTO: Office of the Prime Minister
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed authorities to complete Pakistan Railways development projects on time and to the highest quality standards, stressing that a modern railway network is essential for economic growth, trade and regional connectivity.
Chairing a review meeting in Islamabad on the progress of the Pakistan Railways Transformation Plan, the Prime Minister described Pakistan Railways as “the cheapest and most efficient means of transportation for passengers and goods.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz said that “a modern and efficient railway system will play a key role in promoting the national economy, trade and regional connectivity” and added that modernization of railway infrastructure would be crucial to strengthen Pakistan’s role as a regional trade and logistics hub.
Departure date: January 20, 2026.
This is a person who is angry with him.
اجلاس سے گفتگو کرتے ہوئے وزیرِ اعظم نے کہا کہ پاکستان ریلویز مسافروں اور مال برداری کے لیے سب سے کم لاگت اور مؤثر ذریعۂ… pic.twitter.com/xsY7Fa1BpL
– Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) July 20, 2026
The meeting was briefed on the progress related to ML-1 and ML-3 railway upgrades, Thar coal rail connectivity and other development projects. Officials said in the meeting that the detailed engineering design of the Karachi-Rohri section of ML-1 has been completed.
According to the briefing, the Rohri-Nokundi section of ML-3 will be upgraded through the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) and interim financing arrangements.
Read: Views without cover: gaping death traps
Officials said around 60 per cent of the work on the 112-kilometre Thar coal-fired railway line from Thar Coal to Chhor railway station has been completed and the project is expected to be completed by December 2026.
The Prime Minister also asked officials to submit proposals for the upgradation of Rohri-Multan section of Main Line 1 (ML-1).
The meeting was informed that international consultants had been hired to support the railway reforms on the instructions of the Prime Minister. The officials added that schools and hospitals run by Pakistan Railways had been outsourced, while work was underway to commercialize six major railway stations.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Economy Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi, Minister for IT and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima, Privatization Advisor Muhammad Ali, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani and other senior government officials.
