Federal Minister for Railways, Mohammad Hanif Abbasi, has announced the launch of a high-speed train project between Lahore and Islamabad. This project aims to reduce the current travel time of four hours to just two hours and 45 minutes. It will be a major step forward in modernizing railway travel in Pakistan.
Abbasi unveiled the news after a detailed meeting with Punjab Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb. As per the plan, the train will pass through Lalamusa, Dina and Gujar Khan before reaching Rawalpindi.
As part of the project, the Kalowal to Pindora railway section will be double-tracked and restructured to allow trains to travel at a speed of 120 km/h.
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The minister said that not only will the speed and comfort of trains improve, but all bridges and station yards along the route will also be upgraded.
The Pakistan Housing Authority has already converted tracks from Kot Lakhpat to Shahdara into green belts. All stations between Lahore and Rawalpindi will also be modernised to meet international standards.
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Maryam Aurangzeb praised the initiative, calling it the “best gift for the public” and appreciated Abbasi’s efforts. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Punjab government and Pakistan Railways.
The estimated project cost is up to $9.8 billion. Federal government is liaising with Pakistan Railways (PR) over a number of potential options, including a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Feasibility studies for six further lines in Punjab are underway and are expected to be completed by the end of June 2025.
Goverment has has commissioned feasibility studies for the introduction of improved train services on six other routes across the province:
- Lahore – Shahdara – Narowal
- Lahore – Raiwind – Kasur – Pakpattan – Lodhran
- Sheikhupura – Jaranwala – Shorkot
- Shorkot – Jhang – Sargodha
- Lala Musa – Sargodha via Mandi Bahauddin, and
- Faisalabad – Chak Jhumra – Shahinabad.
The studies are due for completion by the end of June.