Islamabad: A high-level meeting between Pakistan’s Minister of State for Railways, Bilal Azhar Kayani, and a delegation from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), led by Global Director Linda Rudo Munyengeterwa, focused on crucial steps to revamp Pakistan Railways. The discussions revolved around integrating public-private partnerships, enhancing infrastructure, and increasing the freight train capacity to revitalize the national rail system.

Senior officials from both the Ministry of Railways and the IFC attended the meeting, drawing upon governance models from countries such as the UK, Brazil, and India. They explored strategies to bolster operational efficiency and adjust the regulatory framework to support long-term growth.

Minister Kayani underscored the government’s commitment to modernizing the railways, highlighting its potential to drive economic growth and improve regional connectivity. He stressed the importance of international collaboration, particularly with entities like the IFC, to bring in the necessary expertise and investment.

Public-private partnerships were identified as key to achieving infrastructure modernization and service improvement. Minister Kayani stated the government’s intent to foster an environment conducive to contributions from both public and private sectors.

Ms. Munyengeterwa echoed the significance of a robust railway system for Pakistan’s economic development. She affirmed IFC’s readiness to provide technical expertise, advisory services, and investment solutions to support this transformation.

Both parties expressed a commitment to continue discussions and take practical steps to make the railway sector a cornerstone of Pakistan’s economic growth. They agreed to follow up on the issues discussed and work collaboratively towards their shared vision for Pakistan Railways.