LAHORE: The Pakistan Railways (PR) has decided to outsource 13 express passenger trains and directed its officers to complete the process by December this year.
The department has also accelerated efforts to make all faulty (dummy) wagons fit for operation while taking action against the vendors who failed to supply parts on time.
“It is the vision of the prime minister as well as mine to make all-out efforts to maintain the railway infrastructure for safe train operation. This is why I have assigned the officers concerned the task to accomplish the target of making all dummy coaches and wagons fit for operation,” Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi explained while talking to Dawn.
“I have also asked the officers to replace the faulty brake cylinders, blocks and shoes with new ones,” he added.
According to the minister, the outsourcing of trains and luggage vans is also underway and 13 express passenger trains would be outsourced till Dec 31. For this, the process, including the advertisement and award of the contract, would be completed soon.
“At present, the commercial operation of six trains is being carried out by the private parties,” Mr Abbasi said, adding that the trains to be outsourced by December included Sandal, Allama Iqbal Express, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Fareed Express, Sukkur Express, Babu Passenger, Bulleh Shah Passenger, Mohenjodaro Express, Lasani Express, Sialkot Express, Karachi Express, Bahauddin Zakariya Express and Tezgam.
To a question, he said the railway bridge affected by the recent floods on Lahore-Faisalabad track would be rehabilitated within the next two months, helping railways to restore the rail traffic. For the first time, according to him, the freight revenue exceeded the passenger revenue in the railways.
“I think, the railways would be able to earn revenue of Rs120bn from the passenger and freight train operations alone by the end of the ongoing fiscal year on June 30,” he hoped.
Meanwhile, the minister presided over a meeting at the railway headquarters and directed the authorities to blacklist private vendors responsible for delays in the supply of equipment and materials. During the meeting, matters pertaining to railway operations, revenue generation, maintenance, security and outsourcing came under discussion.
Mr Abbasi directed the authorities to install modern CCTV cameras and deploy private security personnel at all railway workshops and yards to prevent theft. He said collective efforts were required to achieve the revenue targets set for the current financial year, adding that locomotives undergoing repairs should be restored to service according to the prescribed schedule.
The minister ordered legal action against negligent officials. The meeting was also told by the officers concerned that advance planning was essential for ensuring transparency and improving the railway system. He further directed that the ongoing track renewal work in Sukkur division should be completed by Dec 31 as it would save operational time by around one-and-a-half hours. He also ordered that the flood-damaged Mian Kallar Bridge be completed within 60 days and repair of employees’ residential quarters in Lahore within two months.
Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026
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