Pakistan Railways to launch high-tech business train

Dubai: Pakistan Railways is set to launch a state-of-the-art business train on July 19. Featuring 28 fully digitised coaches, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, and an international-standard dining car, the new service aims to deliver a significantly enhanced travel experience for passengers.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will officially inaugurate the new train service at a ceremony in Lahore, highlighting a key milestone in the government’s rail reform agenda. The train will run on Lahore-Karachi sector.

Digital ticketing

As part of its ongoing modernisation efforts, Pakistan Railways is also rolling out digital ticketing systems, upgrading station facilities across the country, and improving on-board services. These initiatives are geared toward increasing passenger satisfaction and boosting operational efficiency.

Meanwhile, the Railways Ministry has reported earning over Rs3.95 billion in the last three years from brake and luggage van operations. A portion of this revenue came through outsourcing services to private contractors via open tenders, signalling a shift toward public-private partnerships.

Bullet train on the horizon

Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the ambitious Lahore—Rawalpindi Bullet Train Project. The proposed high-speed rail line is expected to slash travel time between the two major cities from the current 4 to 5 hours to just 2.5 hours.

The bullet train project, still in the planning stages, is being hailed as a transformative step in overhauling Pakistan’s ageing rail infrastructure, potentially spurring economic growth and improving connectivity for millions.