PESHAWAR: The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Ministry of Railways (MoR) have signed a Framework Agreement for cooperation in the railway sector.
The agreement was signed at a ceremony held at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House, Islamabad, by Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi and Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to effective implementation of the agreement and to fast-tracking railway-related projects in the province. Under the Framework Agreement, the Federal Ministry of Railways will facilitate the use of existing railway infrastructure in the province and provide technical support, while railway projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be taken forward in phases.
The provincial government will undertake the restoration and rehabilitation of historic railway stations, for which Rs500 million has been allocated under the Annual Development Programme for the current fiscal year. Existing railway facilities of the federal government will also be utilised for the provision of a suburban railway service in the province.
As per briefing, the Nowshera-Jahangira railway route project will be taken forward on a priority basis, with the consultancy contract for preparation of the feasibility study scheduled to be awarded by August 30.
The railway link between Nowshera, Mardan and Dargai will also be developed in phases, while restoration of the province’s historic railway heritage will form an integral part of the cooperation framework.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi said implementation of the Framework Agreement would support the restoration, expansion and modernisation of the railway system in the province.
Under the Greater Peshawar Circular Railway project, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan and Charsadda will be connected through a modern railway network. Subsequent phases of the Peshawar Valley Railway will include the Nowshera-Mardan-Dargai link, while future phases will also incorporate railway connectivity from Mardan, Charsadda and Peshawar to Torkham.
The Chief Minister said improved railway connectivity would provide millions of passengers, students, workers and traders with more affordable, comfortable and efficient transport. Enhanced rail connectivity would also contribute to economic activity by strengthening trade, tourism, employment opportunities and regional connectivity across the province.
He said several critical areas of development in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa fell within the federal government’s purview, with the railway sector being one of them. These areas had unfortunately not received the attention they deserved in the past.
He expressed the hope that the Framework Agreement would now enable railway projects to be pursued on a fast-track basis. He appreciated the cooperation extended by the Ministry of Railways, saying the agreement would be an important step towards public welfare and development in the province.
He said officials on both sides deserved appreciation for bringing the agreement to conclusion and ensuring its signing. The provincial government, he added, was grateful to the Ministry of Railways and its team for their cooperation.
Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi appreciated the cooperation extended by the provincial government and said stronger coordination between the federal and provincial governments would help improve public services and accelerate development.
He described the Framework Agreement as a unique initiative and said it would yield sustainable, long-term outcomes. Similar agreements, he noted, had also been concluded with other provinces.
He said the railway network connected all provinces of the country and that public welfare transcended administrative boundaries. This was why Pakistan Railways was working in partnership with all provincial governments, he said, assuring full cooperation for implementation of the agreement and the expeditious advancement of the projects.
Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi said strengthening and improving the performance of national institutions required exceptional effort and an effective institutional strategy.
Railways, he added, remained a relatively affordable, comfortable and efficient mode of transport, making investment in the sector a shared responsibility of both the federal and provincial governments and its development a common priority.
Referring to the provincial government’s broader development strategy, the Chief Minister said work was also underway on the Outer Ring Road in Peshawar, which would help provide a long-term solution to the provincial capital’s traffic congestion.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Comments