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ISLAMABAD, Dec 17 (APP):Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi on Wednesday met Defence Secretary Lieutenant General Muhammad Ali to discuss ongoing reforms and development initiatives in Pakistan Railways.
Secretary Power Division Dr. Fakhar Alam Irfan and Director General National Logistics Cell (NLC) Major General Farrukh Shehzad Rao were also present during the meeting, said a news release.
The minister informed the participants that, for the first time in the history of Pakistan Railways, reforms are being implemented with unprecedented speed, innovation and a well-coordinated strategy. He said these initiatives are being carried out in line with the vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
Highlighting key developments, Hanif Abbasi said Pakistan’s first Safe and Smart Railway Station has been established at Rawalpindi. The station is equipped with a 24/7 Artificial Intelligence–based monitoring system and 184 modern surveillance cameras, significantly strengthening security and operational oversight.
As part of the digitization drive, he said a Rail Tag system has been introduced to enable real-time tracking of trains and rolling stock, which will enhance transparency and operational efficiency. He also shared that a Weigh Bridge has been inaugurated in Karachi to curb overloading, a move expected to increase revenue, improve track safety and ensure safer train operations.
The meeting was informed that around 70 per cent of passenger footfall is now covered through the provision of free Wi-Fi services at major railway stations across the country. In addition, ATM machines have been installed at various stations to promote cashless transactions.
Briefing the participants on passenger facilitation measures, the minister said several railway stations have been upgraded, trains improved and CIP lounges established to provide greater comfort and convenience to passengers. He added that further initiatives are under way to enhance passenger services.
Hanif Abbasi also informed the meeting that an agreement for the ML-1 project has been finalized with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and concrete steps are being taken to complete the project at the earliest. He said the ML-1 project would be a milestone in the modernization of Pakistan Railways.
Defence Secretary Lieutenant General Muhammad Ali and other senior officials appreciated the reform measures and commended the minister’s efforts for the overall improvement of Pakistan Railways. They expressed full confidence in the vision, leadership and reform agenda of Federal Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi.
At the end, it was agreed to further strengthen institutional cooperation and enhance mutual coordination to achieve national development goals and public welfare objectives in line with the Prime Minister’s vision.