Islamabad: Pakistan Railways has approved a comprehensive reform roadmap aimed at transforming the state owned organisation into a more efficient, customer focused and financially sustainable transport system.
According to official sources, the plan centres on strengthening freight operations, upgrading infrastructure to improve passenger services, increasing private sector participation and expanding digital systems across the railway network.
A major target is to increase railways’ share of the national freight market from about eight per cent to around 20 per cent following the planned upgrading of Main Line One, the country’s main railway corridor.
The reform plan also seeks to expand the movement of coal, containers, cement, fertilisers, rock phosphate and other bulk commodities by rail.
Increasing freight traffic could provide Pakistan Railways with a stronger source of revenue while reducing some pressure on road based transport. However, achieving the target will depend on improvements in infrastructure, reliability and the capacity to compete effectively with road freight.
The roadmap also places greater emphasis on passenger services, with infrastructure development intended to improve the travelling experience and operational efficiency.
Private sector participation is another central component of the reforms, potentially allowing private investment and management expertise to play a larger role in railway operations and services.
Digital transformation is expected to support the wider restructuring by improving operational systems and making services more responsive to passengers and businesses.
The reform plan represents a significant shift in focus towards treating Pakistan Railways not only as a public transport service but also as a commercially sustainable part of the country’s logistics network.
Its success, however, will ultimately be measured by whether higher freight volumes, better passenger services and increased private investment translate into a more reliable railway system and stronger finances.
