RAWALPINDI: The Pakistani government is set to undertake a comprehensive modernization of its railway infrastructure, Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi announced. The initiative includes refurbishing all trains, allocating new locomotives for freight operations, and upgrading facilities at major railway stations.

According to Radio Pakistan, Minister Abbasi addressed the media in Rawalpindi, detailing plans to refurbish trains such as Tezgam and Karachi Express by June of the following year. The initiative also involves allocating forty-three locomotives specifically for freight operations to stimulate economic activity, along with the addition of sixteen new power coaches to the railway fleet by the year’s end. An additional ninety power coaches are scheduled for overhaul.

Minister Abbasi also highlighted improvements in employee welfare, noting the development of international-standard guard and driver rooms at Rawalpindi Railway Station, with similar facilities planned for Lahore, Karachi, Rohri, and Khanewal stations. Furthermore, the entrance of the Rawalpindi Railway Station is being upgraded to mirror the design of Lahore’s station. Abbasi attributed a reduction in operational costs to the prudent measures implemented by the current administration.