LAHORE: Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi has directed Pakistan Railways to increase freight operations, setting a target of operating 14 freight trains by January in response to demands from the business community.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by the federal minister to review the department’s operational performance and explore measures to enhance freight revenue.
The meeting approved the establishment of a dry port at Khanewal to increase freight earnings. It was also decided to install five additional weighbridges across the country by December 31 to curb overloading.
Taking notice of train accidents caused by mechanical faults, the meeting decided to seek FIA investigations against train examiners responsible for ensuring the technical fitness of trains. To improve operational efficiency, it was decided to discontinue operational meetings at the railway headquarters and hold them at the divisional level instead.
The meeting also directed the department to phase out DVM and DVS coaches from the system and introduce double shifts at sleeper factories to enhance production. The federal minister expressed displeasure over delays in the procurement of spare parts for locomotives and passenger coaches and directed the concerned officials to address the issue without further delay.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi also met Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, who assured him of the immediate release of funds for the restoration of branch railway lines in the province.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026