Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi has announced the launch of five special trains and a 20 percent discount on passenger fares for the three days of Eid, aiming to facilitate travel for the public during the festive season.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, the minister unveiled a series of major announcements related to Pakistan Railways' operations, reforms, and financial performance.
The first Eid train will depart from Karachi to Lahore at 1 pm, while the second Eid special train will depart from Quetta to Peshawar at 10 am.
The third will run between Lahore and Karachi, which will be operated at 5 pm.
The fourth Eid special train will leave Karachi for Rawalpindi on June 3, 2025, at 8 pm, while the last and fifth Eid special train will leave Karachi for Lahore on June 4 at 8 pm.
Highlighting a successful 11-month period, Abbasi revealed that Pakistan Railways earned a record Rs. 83 billion over the past eleven months.
The earnings included Rs. 42 billion from passenger services, Rs. 29 billion from freight services, and Rs. 13 billion from miscellaneous sources. Abbasi also announced reforms in food services and enhanced sanitation systems.
In a sweeping reform initiative, Abbasi revealed plans to outsource several services, including the prestigious Royal Palm Club, with transparency ensured through an open bidding process.
Furthermore, eight railway hospitals are to receive a Rs. 1 billion budget, and plans are underway to outsource hospital operations while maintaining free healthcare for railway employees and charging non-employees accordingly.
As part of educational reforms, 14 railway schools will be outsourced, with private-school-like facilities being introduced.
However, employees’ children will pay fees based on railway-specific terms.
Other notable announcements included the upcoming launch of a new passenger train between Lahore and Narowal on June 15, and a freight service from Lahore to Multan, Sindh, and the border for Russian goods.
Work is also progressing on international railway collaborations, including a joint project with Kazakhstan and infrastructure improvements for the Reko Diq and Thar coal transport network.
Abbasi shared that under the Green Pakistan Initiative, trees will be planted along railway tracks.
Additionally, a Rs. 45 billion railway development project has been prepared for Punjab, with a plan to increase train speeds up to 60 km/h.
Also underway is the manufacture of 1,413 new wagons to bolster freight capacity.