Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the adoption of a public-private partnership (PPP) model to manage Pakistan Railways’ property and land affairs, emphasising the railway system’s role as the backbone of the country’s economy and communications.

The directives came during a high-level meeting on Pakistan Railways held in Islamabad, which reviewed ongoing initiatives for modernisation, regional connectivity, and international train link projects.

The prime minister also called for hiring internationally recognised legal and economic experts to advise on key projects.

Officials briefed the meeting on multiple steps being taken to improve rail services.

Four trains have already been outsourced, with eleven more set to follow, generating an estimated additional revenue of Rs8.5 billion.

Forty luggage and brake vans have been outsourced, expected to yield Rs820 million, while two cargo express trains under outsourcing are projected to add Rs6.3 billion.

Railway Constructions Pakistan Limited, Pakistan Railway Freight Transportation Company, and Pakistan Railway Advisory and Consultancy Services have been closed as part of restructuring.

Plans are underway to upgrade the Karachi-Kotri section of Main Line-1 and Main Line-3.

Work on the Thar Rail Connectivity project will be carried out in collaboration with the Sindh government.

The meeting also highlighted progress on international routes. The Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul train will start soon, while preliminary work is ongoing for the Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan rail project.

Digital initiatives include seven operational “Raabta” portals, the integration of 56 trains into the system, and free Wi-Fi at Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad stations, with 48 more stations set to receive connectivity by next month. A pilot digital weighing bridge has been launched at Karachi City Railway Station, with plans to expand it to additional major stations.

Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, and senior officials attended the meeting.

The prime minister praised the ongoing initiatives, calling the restoration and modernisation of Pakistan Railways a vital step for economic growth and enhanced regional and international connectivity.