Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi has said that around 60 percent of the work on the Thar Coal Railway Connectivity Project has been completed, with the project expected to be finished by December 2026.
The minister made the announcement while addressing a roundtable conference organised under the Uraan Pakistan Forum.
Abbasi said the government has given top priority to upgrading railway tracks, modernising infrastructure, and transforming Pakistan Railways into a financially sustainable and technology-driven organisation.
He described the revival and modernisation of the country’s railway system as a key driver of national economic growth rather than merely a transport initiative.
The minister noted that a significant portion of Pakistan’s railway network is still operating on tracks that have exceeded their economic and technical lifespan. He added that decades of underinvestment have adversely affected the country’s railway infrastructure.
Abbasi said neighbouring countries have made significant investments in railway development over the past two decades, stressing that Pakistan must accelerate similar efforts to improve connectivity and support economic growth.
He said the Ministry of Railways has prepared a comprehensive Strategic Roadmap 2033, focusing on the implementation of the ML-1 and ML-3 projects, regional connectivity, digital transformation, and the development of modern railway infrastructure.
Pakistan Railways is also introducing digital ticketing, smart stations, train-tracking systems, enterprise resource planning solutions, command and control centres, and other advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency, passenger services, and financial performance.
Abbasi stressed that timely funding is essential for completing ongoing railway projects. He said investment in the railway sector should be viewed as an investment in Pakistan’s future rather than simply an expenditure.
