Pakistan Announces $10 Billion Railway to Connect with Central Asia
Pakistan will build an $10 billion railway line linking the country to Central Asia through Afghanistan, Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi announced Saturday. The massive project includes an 850-kilometer track from Kohat to Mazar-i-Sharif in Afghanistan, plus a 75-kilometer extension into Uzbekistan.
The minister revealed these plans during a visit to Faisalabad Railway Station, where he outlined sweeping modernization efforts across Pakistan's rail network. Faisalabad Station will be upgraded to international standards within 45 days through collaboration with local businesses, serving up to 10,000 daily passengers in this key industrial city.
Major upgrades are underway nationwide:
- Karachi's new station opens September 10
- Rohri Station will mirror Lahore's modern design
- Gujranwala Station renovation funded privately
- WiFi expanding to 40 stations across Punjab
Digital transformation is accelerating with fully automated ticketing, live train tracking, and ATMs at major stations. Food safety systems now allow provincial inspectors direct station access for meal quality checks.
New passenger services include modern DMU trains carrying 650 people on routes like Lahore-Faisalabad and Lahore-Kasur. A Rs. 250 billion Lahore-Rawalpindi double-track project will cut travel time to 2.5 hours.
Critical freight lines are advancing too:
The Thar Coal track (April 2026 completion) will slash power costs from Rs.15 to Rs.4 per unit
Reko Diq mineral railway finishes by 2028
Feasibility studies for Sibi-Rohri and Rohri-Karachi tracks conclude soon
Private sector involvement grows with outsourcing of 11 passenger trains and freight operations by September 30. A new Track Access Fee policy lets companies run private trains and wagons, boosting competition and service quality.
"These projects fulfill the Prime Minister's vision for regional connectivity," Abbasi stated, noting Punjab's Rs. 50 billion investment in eight routes. The Central Asia rail link positions Pakistan as a vital trade corridor between South and Central Asia.
