Pakistan has decided to adopt a public–private partnership (PPP) model for managing railway land, as the government anticipates substantial revenue gains through system restoration, digitization, and outsourcing.
An important meeting on Pakistan Railways, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, approved the shift to a PPP model for railway land and property management. The PM noted that railways serve as the backbone of any country’s economy and transport system and praised the recent measures taken to revive the sector.
Officials briefed the meeting that several initiatives are currently underway to improve Pakistan Railways. Seven digital portals under the ‘Rabta’ platform are functioning efficiently, with 56 trains already integrated into the system.
A total of 54 railway stations nationwide have been digitized, while free Wi-Fi has been made available at major stations in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad. Another 48 stations will receive this facility by December 31, 2025.
Online booking for freight services has commenced, and a pilot project for a digital weighing bridge has begun at Karachi City Station. The initiative will later be expanded to Pipri, Karachi Cantt, Port Qasim, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.
In Rawalpindi, 148 AI-enabled surveillance cameras have been installed. Progress is also being made to install ATMs at stations, improve sanitation systems, and upgrade passenger waiting areas and information desks.
The meeting was informed that four trains have already been outsourced, while the outsourcing of 11 more is in progress, expected to generate an additional Rs8.5 billion. Similarly, outsourcing 40 luggage vans is projected to bring in Rs820 million, and two cargo express trains are anticipated to contribute another Rs6.3 billion in revenue.
