Pakistan Railways To Outsource 13 Passenger Trains

Pakistan Railways has decided to outsource 13 express passenger trains by the end of December as part of a broader push to improve operations, generate revenue and bring private-sector participation into passenger services. The department has directed officers to complete the outsourcing process within the deadline, including advertisements and contract awards.

Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi said the move is part of the government’s plan to maintain railway infrastructure and improve safe train operations. He said officials had also been tasked with making faulty coaches and wagons fit for operation, with special attention on replacing defective brake cylinders, blocks and shoes.

According to the minister, the commercial operation of six trains is already being handled by private parties. The next batch of trains identified for outsourcing includes 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.

The outsourcing plan is being paired with maintenance and revenue measures across the railway system. Abbasi said Pakistan Railways was also working to rehabilitate infrastructure affected by recent floods, including a railway bridge on the Lahore-Faisalabad track that is expected to be restored within two months.

The minister said freight revenue has exceeded passenger revenue for the first time, calling it an important shift for the department’s financial outlook. He expressed hope that passenger and freight train operations could generate Rs120 billion by the end of the current fiscal year on June 30.

At a meeting at railway headquarters, Abbasi directed authorities to blacklist private vendors responsible for delays in supplying equipment and materials. The meeting reviewed railway operations, revenue generation, maintenance, security and outsourcing as officials assessed steps needed to improve performance.

The minister also ordered the installation of modern CCTV cameras and the deployment of private security personnel at workshops and yards to prevent theft. He said locomotives under repair should be restored to service according to schedule and warned that negligent officials would face legal action.

Officials were further directed to complete ongoing track renewal work in the Sukkur division by December 31, a measure expected to reduce operational time by about one and a half hours. The minister also ordered the flood-damaged Mian Kallar Bridge to be completed within 60 days and called for repairs to employees’ residential quarters in Lahore within two months.