- Advertisement -
ISLAMABAD, Nov 07 (APP):Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi on Friday inaugurated the newly renovated Golra Railway Station in Islamabad, marking the completion of a major restoration project aimed at preserving Pakistan’s rich railway heritage.
Originally built in 1881, Golra Railway Station stands as one of the most iconic landmarks of the subcontinent’s railway history.
Surrounded by century-old trees, vintage travel artifacts, and historic railway sleepers, the station has been meticulously restored to showcase its original colonial-era design.
A grand inauguration ceremony was held at the station, attended by federal ministers, senators, ambassadors, and media representatives.
Speaking at the event, Hanif Abbasi said the restoration was part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s broader vision to modernize and digitize Pakistan Railways.
He said that initiatives such as Safe and Smart Stations, cashless ticketing, and free Wi-Fi services were being launched in collaboration with the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) and the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB).
The minister highlighted that recent reforms — including the Freight Online System, Weigh Bridges, Rail Contact App, and the 117 Call Centre — were designed to enhance passenger convenience.
He added that new facilities such as information desks, escalators, CIP lounges, and quality food outlets were being established at major stations nationwide.
Abbasi said outsourcing certain railway services had improved transparency and boosted revenue generation, assuring that the rights of employees would be fully protected during the outsourcing of railway schools, hospitals, and rest houses.
He also announced that Pakistan Railways had adopted a transparent plan to auction valuable railway land to further increase revenue.
On regional connectivity, the minister revealed that the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul (ITI) train service would be revived by the end of the year.
He said Kazakhstan had completed preparations to lay the missing rail link up to Chaman, while Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan had finalized an agreement to strengthen regional railway cooperation.
He further shared that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) would invest a hefty amount to upgrade the Karachi–Rohri railway track, while improvements to the Nokundi–Rohri section would facilitate mineral transportation to seaports.
Hanif Abbasi reaffirmed that Pakistan Railways was being transformed into a modern, efficient, and passenger-friendly institution.
The event also featured the passing of the Jaffar Express, which added a festive touch to the ceremony. Later, the minister visited the Golra Railway Museum, inspected historic railway relics, and toured the photo gallery.
At the end Abbasi expressed gratitude to the guests and reiterated his commitment to making Pakistan Railways comparable to the world’s leading railway systems.