Railways promises full fleet upgrade by end-2026

The federal minister for Pakistan Railways (PR) has claimed that by the end of 2026, all passenger trains operating across the railway network will be upgraded to offer a better travel experience, a move that, if materialised, would add comfort for passengers across all categories.

Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said the initiative aims to significantly improve passenger comfort, safety and service standards, while also accelerating the digital transformation of the rail network. Speaking about the roadmap, the minister said that by the end of 2026, Pakistan Railways would upgrade its entire passenger fleet, install surveillance cameras on trains and complete end-to-end digitisation of operations. He promised passengers a safer and more reliable travel experience, adding that the railway police had already undergone modern training to strengthen on-board and station security.

While the announcement has been portrayed by the minister as a major reform milestone, critics and transport experts caution that upgrading coaches alone may not be sufficient to restore public confidence in rail travel. They point to persistent issues related to track condition, signalling systems and maintenance standards, problems that came sharply into focus during 2025, when multiple passenger and freight train derailments were reported across the network. Several of those incidents resulted in injuries and service suspensions, fuelling fear among passengers, particularly those who experienced accidents first-hand. Rail analysts argue that without large-scale track rehabilitation and modern signalling, the risk of derailments will remain a serious concern, regardless of improvements in rolling stock, some railway station buildings and security measures. "Safety begins with the track," a former railway official said, adding that infrastructure upgrades typically require far more time and investment than refurbishing coaches.

Pakistan Railways currently operates 102 passenger and express trains nationwide, a sharp decline from earlier decades when more than 240 services were in operation. In 2025, a limited number of trains, i.e. 20, underwent partial upgrades, mainly involving refurbished coaches and basic interior improvements, but comprehensive modernisation across the fleet remains a work in progress. With shortages of serviceable coaches compelling the railways to reduce capacity on several major trains during the year, upgrading the remaining 82 trains within 365 days would not be an easy task.

Alongside passenger reforms, the minister placed strong emphasis on the freight sector, which has emerged as one of Pakistan Railways' most consistent revenue generators. According to Abbasi, the freight business earned a record Rs17 billion in the first six months of the current fiscal year, even managing to generate over Rs3 billion in monthly revenue during November and December despite labour disruptions. He projected that freight earnings alone would cross Rs38 billion by the end of the fiscal year. The government is increasingly presenting rail freight as a viable and cheaper alternative to road transport, a sector that many traders complain has evolved into a cartel-like system with high and often unpredictable charges. With rising fuel costs and road congestion, logistics experts say rail-based freight offers long-term cost and environmental advantages, provided service reliability improves.

Abbasi once again claimed that Pakistan Railways would become a Rs100 billion revenue-earning entity in FY26, a target he described as highly achievable, but one that would require sustained growth in freight, better asset utilisation and improved passenger services to further enhance revenues. Experts, however, stress that meeting such goals will depend on consistent policy support, adequate funding and the ability to address long-standing structural weaknesses.