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HAVELIAN, Jan 31 (APP): Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi on Saturday highlighted wide-ranging reforms and development initiatives in Pakistan Railways, stating that improved services, infrastructure upgrades and digitalisation had significantly boosted public confidence and revenue.
Talking to the media at Havelian Railway Station after inauguration of refurbished track of Hazara express train.
The minister said that his visit had turned into a public gathering, reflecting public interest in railway development. He described Havelian Railway Station as a historic site and noted that he belonged to the Hazara region.
Abbasi said Pakistan Railways had achieved several key targets, announcing that six train rakes had been allocated for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to facilitate passengers travelling from Peshawar to Karachi. He added that the Hazara Express had been upgraded with new and refurbished coaches, improving travel comfort.
Highlighting reforms, he said 60 railway stations across the country had been digitised, enhancing efficiency and transparency. He further stated that a Rs 600 billion Karachi–Rohri railway track project was underway, while the proposed Rohri–Nokundi line would link the mineral-rich Chagai region and strengthen regional connectivity with Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.
Referring to financial performance, the railways minister said that earnings from passenger and freight services reached record levels in December, with revenues touching Rs 10 billion in a single month.
He added that Pakistan Railways had set an ambitious target of earning Rs 1 trillion through continued reforms, infrastructure development and service improvement.
Abbasi reiterated that strengthening rail connectivity was vital for economic growth and said that ongoing reforms were aimed at making Pakistan Railways a modern, efficient and public-friendly organisation.