Railways posts Rs83b revenue

Karachi Division leads gains as historic income signals recovery but not full revival

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LAHORE:

Pakistan Railways has announced earning a record-breaking Rs83 billion in revenue during the first eleven months of the current financial year FY25, showing a growth of 7.8% over the corresponding period.

According to the Railways spokesperson, this is the highest revenue collected by the organisation in any similar eleven-month period in its history. Federal Railways Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi hailed the achievement as historic, stating that "through hard work and dedication, we will put Railways back on its feet."

The revenue breakdown shows passenger trains contributed Rs42 billion, while freight services generated Rs29 billion. Other income sources, including property leases and commercial activities, added Rs12 billion.

Regional performance varied significantly, with Karachi Division emerging as the top performer — earning Rs13 billion from passengers and a substantial Rs25 billion from freight. Lahore Division reported Rs10 billion from passengers but less than Rs1 billion from freight. Both Rawalpindi and Multan Divisions earned Rs4 billion each from passengers, totalling Rs8 billion combined.

This performance represents a notable improvement over the same period last year, when revenue stood at Rs77 billion. The current figures suggest Pakistan Railways might surpass its full-year target of Rs88 billion with one month remaining.

This financial milestone comes against a backdrop of persistent challenges. For years, Pakistan Railways has struggled with aging infrastructure, frequent service disruptions, and safety concerns that have eroded public confidence. Many mainline tracks and bridges date back to the British colonial era, causing speed restrictions and delays. The organisation still operates at a significant operational loss when accounting for full infrastructure maintenance costs, despite this revenue increase.

While the Rs83 billion revenue demonstrates progress in financial management and operational efficiency, industry analysts said this represents recovery rather than transformation. Sustained investment in infrastructure modernisation, consistent service quality, and resolution of long-standing debt issues are still needed before Pakistan Railways can be considered fully revitalised.

"The revenue achievement offers hope, but the organisation's journey to becoming a truly modern, reliable, and profitable national transport service has just begun," they added.