Karachi Railway Station is taking the lead in Pakistan Railways’ ambitious modernization program, showcasing solar energy adoption, digital innovations, and enhanced passenger facilities.
The station now offers free Wi-Fi, and a pilot digital weighing bridge project has been launched, with plans to expand similar facilities to Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Port Qasim.
The upgrades were highlighted during a briefing to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who chaired a meeting on the railways’ ongoing reforms.
Visit Times of Karachi website for the latest news-related content daily
Officials revealed that 155 railway stations, including Karachi, have been switched to solar energy, while 54 stations have been fully digitized and 56 trains transferred to the RABTA system.
Surveillance has also been strengthened, with 148 AI-powered cameras installed at Rawalpindi Railway Station, and ATMs are being added across multiple stations to improve passenger convenience.
Major railway lines, including Main Line One (Karachi–Kotri) and Main Line Three, are undergoing upgrades, and projects such as the Thar Railway Connectivity are being executed in coordination with the Sindh government.
Passenger experience is a key priority, with large stations now featuring high-standard waiting lounges, outsourced cleaning services, and access for food authorities from all provinces to ensure quality food services.
READ: Karachi cantt station upgraded: Here’s what’s new, prices
Outsourcing initiatives are also boosting revenue, with four trains already outsourced and plans to outsource 11 more, expected to generate a revenue of an additional PKR 8.5 billion.
Luggage and brake vans outsourcing is projected to bring in PKR 820 billion.
Railway hospitals, schools, colleges, and rest houses in Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta, and Sukkur are also being prepared for outsourcing.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also highlighted upcoming international projects, including the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul train and preliminary work on the Kazakhstan–Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan rail corridor.
Follow the Times of Karachi channel on WhatsApp
He stressed the importance of public-private partnerships and the engagement of legal and economic experts to strengthen Pakistan Railways’ infrastructure and property management.
