PR gears up for new Business Express

Pakistan Railways (PR) is preparing to roll out a refurbished Pak Business Express train, a service once hailed as a game changer but later became a tale of how public-private partnership (PPP) can go wrong.

In the coming days, the prime minister is expected to formally inaugurate this modernised train, promising passengers upgraded coaches, comfortable seating, and facilities comparable to any modern railway service. Yet behind the new curtains and polished floors lies a turbulent history that raises questions about the future of PPPs in Pakistan's rail sector.

Pak Business Express first took off in February 2012 with fanfare and hope. Inaugurated by the then premier Yousuf Raza Gilani, it was the country's first privately run passenger train, operating on the Lahore-Karachi route under a partnership between Pakistan Railways and the Four Brothers Group.

The plan was ambitious; the private company would invest in refurbishing coaches, manage on-board services, and share revenues with the railways, while Pakistan Railways would provide track access and locomotives. It was meant to introduce competition, improve service quality, and reduce financial burden on the cash-strapped public railway system, which was on the verge of failure.

Nevertheless, the train's journey soon hit rough tracks. Former railway officials recall the internal resistance that began almost immediately. "Many within the railway bureaucracy were not happy. They saw private involvement as a threat to their control and income streams," said a retired railway officer, requesting anonymity.

He explained that powerful groups within the organisation felt their traditional monopoly was under attack. This led to delays, operational hurdles, and a lack of cooperation that eventually strained the partnership. From the private sector side, matters were no better. The Four Brothers Group, which had entered the venture with high hopes, struggled with financial management and meeting contractual obligations.

"Our intention was genuine, but we faced constant operational difficulties and a hostile environment. Passenger numbers were initially encouraging, but we couldn't sustain the cost with the level of support we received," said a former executive of the Four Brothers Group. The company failed to make timely payments owed to Pakistan Railways, leading to disputes and court cases that dragged on for years.

By 2015, the situation had become untenable. Pakistan Railways ultimately took back control of Pak Business Express, ending what had once been promoted as a flagship PPP venture. The episode became a symbol of how deep-rooted institutional resistance and weak contractual enforcement can derail even the most promising partnerships.

"The Pak Business Express fiasco left a bad taste in everyone's mouth. It also discouraged other private players from stepping into this space," remarked an official from Pakistan Railways' planning department.

Over the years, Pakistan Railways has tried to revive the PPP model in various forms. Trains like the Shalimar Express, Karakoram Express and recently the Green Line Express have been operated under different PPP formats, but most of these projects either failed or reverted to full government control due to similar issues, ie, lack of trust, payment disputes, and operational bottlenecks.

Currently, nine trains are being operated via the PPP mode, whereas the railways intend to outsource another 11 trains in the coming months. Industry observers note that while the idea of private investment in railways remains attractive, Pakistan has not yet found the right formula to balance public oversight with private efficiency.

Now, Pakistan Railways hopes to write a new chapter with the revamped Pak Business Express. Officials insist that lessons have been learnt and this time around the train will deliver the level of service that passengers deserve. The refurbished coaches reportedly feature modern amenities, including comfortable berths, Wi-Fi, and improved catering.

"We have invested heavily in upgrading this train to meet international standards," said a senior official of Pakistan Railways. "This is not just cosmetic change; we are committed to making it a sustainable success."

Still, industry experts remain cautious. "The infrastructure may look new, but the fundamental issues have not changed. Unless Pakistan Railways changes its institutional mindset and establishes clear, enforceable contracts, we risk repeating the same mistakes," warned transportation analyst Zubair Sheikh. He argued that while the re-launch is a positive step, the real test will be in how revenue sharing, maintenance, and operations are handled over the long term.

Meanwhile, the public waits with cautious optimism. Many commuters remember the initial days of Pak Business Express, when for the first time, railway travel was fast, clean, and customer-focused. "It was like flying on tracks," recalled Asad Khan, a frequent passenger from Lahore.

"If they can make it work again, even then it would be a difficult task for railways at this point in time, as other premium trains are already operating. Fares are also high and train derailments are a routine. It would be hard for an average Pakistani to travel with high ticket price and a risk for businesspersons due to the dilapidated infrastructure," added Khan.