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With Karachi handling 99 percent of Pakistan’s cargo, Pakistan Railways is urging a shift from road to rail, warning that continued overreliance on trucks is damaging the city’s roads and worsening traffic bottlenecks.
During a visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Divisional Superintendent Mehmood ur Rehman Lakho said the aim is to revive rail freight connectivity to major industrial hubs, easing pressure on Karachi’s worn-out roads and improving logistics efficiency.
Lakho stressed that rail is three times more fuel-efficient than trucks and reduces both carbon emissions and fuel import costs.
He added that modern wagons, locomotives, and dedicated cargo trains could transform the logistics sector if fully supported.
Railways officials highlighted delays in the ML-1 project under CPEC, a crucial upgrade for long-haul rail freight.
Meanwhile, plans are underway to connect Karachi to Central Asia and Russia via rail, opening new export corridors.
KCCI President Jawed Bilwani and BMG Chairman Zubair Motiwala called for urgent rail reform, citing high logistics costs, deteriorated roads, and supply chain vulnerabilities.
They proposed Roll-on/Roll-off wagons, freight-dedicated KCR revival, and a joint KCCI-Railways working group to pilot services.
They stressed that stronger rail infrastructure would reduce congestion, enhance export performance, and restore rail’s role in Pakistan’s economic engine.
