KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday 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.
He expressed these views while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the New Shalimar Express and the newly upgraded waiting areas and lounges at Karachi Cantt Railway Station during his visit to Karachi. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and other dignitaries were present.
The premier said that soon after assuming office, the railways minister worked diligently to modernise the railway system. After revamping 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.
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 provincial 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 Hanif Abbasi’s leadership, calling him the “hero of today’s ceremony,” and congratulated him for transforming the outdated railway system.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. He noted that Hanif Abbasi has initiated discussions with the Asian Development Bank for a $2 billion loan to further upgrade Pakistan Railways.
Responding to Murad Ali Shah’s request to include the KCR project in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, the prime minister assured full cooperation, calling it a vital initiative. He said that 154 railway stations have already been modernised.
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 Rs1 billion is being spent on upgrading Rohri Station, while work is also underway at Karachi City Station. He said that 14 trains are being outsourced under government policy, and railway hospitals and schools are also being given to private administration, while ensuring full protection for railway employees. Work on the ML-1 project is also progressing, he added.
The Sindh chief minister welcomed the prime minister to Karachi and reaffirmed full cooperation from the provincial government. Earlier, Shehbaz inaugurated the new Shalimar Express at Karachi Cantt Station and inspected the modernisation works. He visited the upgraded waiting area, CIP lounge, state-of-the-art dining hall and computerised ticketing system.
The ceremony was also attended by foreign diplomats and Parliament members, senior officers from the federal as well as provincial governments. Earlier, PM Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif was warmly received by the Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, on a day-long visit to Karachi.
Meanwhile, the prime minister visited the residence of Nawabzada Jam Karam Ali and Prince Jam Qaim Ali during his Karachi visit. Attaullah Tarar, Hanif Abbasi and Special Assistant Talha Burki accompanied the prime minister.
