RAWALPINDI, Nov 06 (APP): Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi on Thursday inaugurated the Safe and Smart Railway Station in Rawalpindi, highlighting ongoing measures to modernise Pakistan Railways and make it safer and more passenger-friendly.
Speaking to the media after the inauguration, Minister Abbasi said that under the special interest and vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the railway network was being upgraded on modern lines. “Practical steps are underway to modernise the railway system, and soon all major railway stations across the country will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities like Rawalpindi,” he added.
The minister noted that, in collaboration with the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), a foolproof surveillance system comprising 143 cameras had been activated at the Rawalpindi Railway Station, enabling continuous monitoring of the station, reservation office, and surrounding areas. He said Rawalpindi had become the first railway station in the country to be equipped with such an advanced security system, which would also allow effective supervision of staff performance.
Minister Abbasi also inaugurated a new CIP lounge and waiting area, stating that modern lounges were being developed at major stations to provide passengers with a comfortable environment. “These facilities will include tea and refreshments, separate waiting areas for women and families, free Wi-Fi, and ATMs.”
He added that refurbishment of old coaches was progressing rapidly, with three railcars on the Lahore–Rawalpindi route already upgraded and the fourth scheduled for completion by November 15. “Passengers on these trains are now being provided with complimentary snacks to enhance travel comfort.”
The minister further said that the Faisalabad Railway Station’s modernisation had been completed, while Karachi Cantt Station would soon be inaugurated with even more advanced CIP lounges and waiting areas than Lahore.
Outlining broader development plans, he said the FWO would upgrade the 884-kilometre Rohri–Nokundi track, including laying 400 kilometres of new track at the junction of ML-1, ML-2, and ML-3, with financing from the Asian Development Bank over three years.
He also said his Iranian and Turkish counterparts had expressed interest in launching the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul (ITI) cargo train by December this year, with the Pakistan’s Commerce Ministry and relevant departments of the brotherly countries coordinating to facilitate trade.
Minister Abbasi added that Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan had signed an agreement in July to build a railway link, and Tajikistan had now agreed to fund the project extending from its soil to Chaman, Pakistan, including sections through Turkmenistan, Kandahar, and Herat in Afghanistan. Tajik officials were expected in Pakistan to sign a memorandum of understanding in that regard.
“When completed, we will gain access to Central Asia, Russia, and Europe through this regional connectivity project,” he said.
Reaffirming the commitment to modernisation, he said, “Pakistan Railways is rapidly moving towards modernisation. We are committed to providing passengers with every possible convenience, and this journey of progress will not stop.”
The minister said three of the 14 railway schools had been outsourced, allowing children of railway employees to receive quality education for Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 in fully furnished and air-conditioned classrooms with equipped labs, while Railways would receive 17 percent of the income. Likewise, railway employees, their children, and parents would receive free treatment at outsourced hospitals.
He added that plans were underway to improve living conditions for train drivers within the next six months.