Prime Minister (PM) Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that the digitization of Pakistan Railways and the provision of modern facilities would play a key role in strengthening the national economy.
He added that the federal government, in collaboration with the Sindh government, would modernize the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) and upgrade all railway stations across the province and the country.
He expressed these views while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the New Shalimar Express and the newly upgraded waiting areas and lounges at Karachi Cantt Railway Station during his visit to Karachi. Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah, Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
The PM said that soon after assuming office, Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi worked diligently to modernize the railway system. After revamping Lahore Railway Station, Karachi Cantt Station has now also been upgraded with contemporary facilities. He said that all railway stations in the province would be modernized with support from the Sindh government to ensure better travel facilities for the passengers.
PM Shehbaz said the Shalimar Express running between Karachi and Lahore has been converted into a new, upgraded train. He described Karachi as not only the economic hub but also “the heart of Pakistan.” He reiterated that cooperation with the provincial governments of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan would continue to ensure modernization across the railway network and help stabilize the economy.
The Prime Minister praised Hanif Abbasi’s leadership, calling him the “hero of today’s ceremony,” and congratulated him for transforming the outdated railway system. He said the federal government would work with all provinces to extend the railway network to Central Asia, specifically highlighting the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway line project. He also emphasized reviving the Islamabad-Istanbul rail route.
The PM noted that Hanif Abbasi has initiated discussions with the Asian Development Bank for a $2 billion loan to further upgrade Pakistan Railways. Responding to CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah’s request to include the KCR project in CPEC, the Prime Minister assured full cooperation, calling it a vital initiative. He said that 154 railway stations have already been modernized, and once all stations-big or small-are upgraded, he would recommend a presidential award for the Railways Minister.
Earlier, Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi said that under the Prime Minister’s guidance, significant improvements were achieved in just eight months, including the modernization of Karachi Cantt Station and the renewal of the Shalimar Express. He added that Rs 1 billion is being spent on upgrading Rohri Station, while work is also underway at Karachi City Station. He said that 14 trains are being outsourced under government policy, and railway hospitals and schools are also being given to private administration, while ensuring full protection for railway employees. Work on the ML-1 project is also progressing, he added.
Sindh CM Syed Murad Ali Shah welcomed the Prime Minister to Karachi and reaffirmed full cooperation from the provincial government.
Earlier, the PM inaugurated the new Shalimar Express at Karachi Cantt Station and inspected the modernization works. He visited the upgraded waiting area, CIP lounge, state-of-the-art dining hall and computerized ticketing system, accompanied by federal ministers, senior railway officials, and the IG Railways. The ceremony was also attended by foreign diplomats and Parliament members, senior officers from the federal as well as provincial governments.
Earlier, PM Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif was warmly received by the Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, on a day-long visit to Karachi.