For the past 68 years the British built tracks and the old trains have felt like archaeological relics, and because of accidents and a lack of timely services many people have preferred buses over trains. This situation benefited transporters and pushed families to spend more on travel.
However, thanks to the Prime Minister’s special attention and the hard work of Federal Railway Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, new life is being breathed into the decaying system. Karachi Railway Station, which had become a rundown, haunted building, is now being reshaped to meet modern needs. The Green Line train, its booking office, waiting area and modern escalators look great, and the public is happy. This shift will certainly create jobs for young people.
The upgrade does not only improve trains; it strengthens the foundation of the whole economy, public convenience and national development. With the upgrade, Pakistan Railways will provide affordable, safe and low cost transport, and faster, cheaper freight services. A strong railway network directly benefits businesses and industry; it boosts agriculture, textiles, exports-everything.
Looking at neighbouring countries, including China, economic growth worldwide is tied to a robust railway system that gives travel convenience to thousands. The idea of upgrading Pakistan Railways came late, but thankfully the process has now begun to move forward. The upgrade also creates thousands of jobs for engineers, technicians, labourers and IT staff.
The 1 ML project is a huge, important railway upgrade being carried out under the leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League (N). The government plans to upgrade the line from Karachi to Peshawar, which will become the country’s main railway corridor. No new track is being built; the existing line will be upgraded and doubled, allowing faster trains. The project spans about 1,726 km, divided into several phases, with a total cost of roughly 6.683 billion (units). Most of the funding will be a loan from China, but if foreign financing is unavailable the government intends to fund it from its own resources.
This project will increase Pakistan Railways’ capacity, enabling more trains to run and improving both passenger and freight services. It will create new jobs and lower logistics costs for the country. The plan also includes safety improvements on both sides of the line, refurbishment of stations and signalling systems, and the Karachi Lahore Green Line train and Karachi Railway Station are part of it. The private sector will gain opportunities in freight forwarding, logistics, and manufacturing. The project includes ticketing, customer service, a digital control room, security and administrative roles, with a safe and accessible framework for women.
In short, Federal Railway Minister Hanif Abbasi is injecting new life into the “dead body” of Pakistan Railways, and the public’s prayers are with him. After the improvement of motorways, the railway’s best services will be the government’s finest achievement, directly benefiting the Pakistani people.
