PM Shehbaz inaugurates upgraded waiting areas, lounges at Karachi Cantt Railway Station

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the newly upgraded waiting areas and lounges at the Karachi Cantt Railway Station during his visit to Karachi on Monday.

The premier also launched New Shalimar Express train service in presence of Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah, Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar at the Karachi railway station.

PM Shehbaz said that the digitisation of Pakistan Railways and the provision of modern facilities would play a key role in strengthening the national economy.

He added that the federal government, in collaboration with the Sindh government, would modernise the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) and upgrade all railway stations across the province and the country.

Modern train tracking system introduced at Cantt Station

The PM said that soon after assuming office, Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi worked diligently to modernise the railway system. After revamping the Lahore Railway Station, Karachi Cantt Station has now also been upgraded with contemporary facilities.

He said that all railway stations in the province would be modernised with support from the Sindh government to ensure better travel facilities for the passengers.

PM Shehbaz said the Shalimar Express running between Karachi and Lahore has been converted into a new, upgraded train. He described Karachi as not only the economic hub but also “the heart of Pakistan.” He reiterated that cooperation with the governments of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan would continue to ensure modernisation across the railway network and help stabilise the economy.

The prime minister praised Abbasi’s leadership, calling him the “hero of today’s ceremony,” and congratulated him for transforming the outdated railway system.

He said the federal government would work with all provinces to extend the railway network to Central Asia, specifically highlighting the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway line project. He also emphasised reviving the Islamabad–Istanbul rail route.

“Hanif Abbasi has initiated discussions with the Asian Development Bank for a $2 billion loan to further upgrade Pakistan Railways,” he said. Responding to CM Murad’s request to include the KCR project in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the prime minister assured full cooperation, calling it a vital initiative.

“154 railway stations have already been modernised, and once all stations—big or small—are upgraded, I will recommend a presidential award for the railways minister,” he said.

‘Karachi-Lahore bullet train project not on the anvil,’ says ministry denying media report

Earlier, the railways minister said that under the prime minister’s guidance, significant improvements were achieved in just eight months, including the modernisation of Karachi Cantt Station and the renewal of the Shalimar Express.

He added that Rs 1 billion was being spent on upgrading Rohri Station, while work was also underway at Karachi City Station. He said that 14 trains were being outsourced under government policy, and railway hospitals and schools were also being given to private administration, while ensuring full protection for railway employees. “Work on the ML-1 project is also progressing,” he added.

Murad welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz to Karachi and reaffirmed full cooperation from the provincial government.

Earlier, the PM inspected the modernisation works. He visited the upgraded waiting area, CIP lounge, state-of-the-art dining hall and computerised ticketing system, accompanied by federal ministers, senior railway officials, and the IG Railways.

The ceremony was also attended by foreign diplomats and parliament members, senior officers from the federal as well as provincial governments.

Earlier, PM Shehbaz was warmly received by the Sindh chief minister on a day-long visit to Karachi.