Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday inaugurated the newly upgraded Shalimar Express and a series of modernised passenger facilities at Karachi Cantonment Railway Station, saying the transformation of Pakistan Railways would play an essential role in strengthening the national economy.
During his visit, the premier inspected the revamped waiting areas, CIP lounge, dining hall and the computerised ticketing system, accompanied by federal ministers, senior railway officials and the railways police chief. Foreign diplomats, parliamentarians, and provincial government officers were also present at the ceremony.
Speaking at the inauguration, PM Shehbaz emphasised that digitisation and modernisation were now central to the government’s railway agenda. He said the federal and Sindh governments would work jointly to upgrade the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) and modernise railway stations across the province and the rest of the country.
He noted that Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, soon after taking charge, had pushed aggressively for reform. Following the successful overhaul of Lahore Station, Karachi Cantt is now equipped with updated, passenger-friendly facilities. The premier described Karachi as “the heart of Pakistan,” and reiterated that collaboration with all four provinces would continue to expand and modernise the rail network.
PM Shehbaz announced that the Shalimar Express, operating between Karachi and Lahore, had been completely upgraded and relaunched with improved amenities. He praised Abbasi’s leadership, calling him “the hero of today’s ceremony,” and said he would recommend a presidential award for him once all railway stations—large and small—are modernised.
The prime minister also highlighted plans to extend Pakistan’s railway connectivity to Central Asia, including the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan corridor, and spoke of efforts to revive the Islamabad–Istanbul rail route. He confirmed that discussions with the Asian Development Bank were underway for a $2 billion loan to further enhance railway infrastructure.
Responding to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah’s request to include the KCR in the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework, PM Shehbaz assured full cooperation, calling it an important urban mobility project for Karachi.
Earlier, Minister Abbasi said that major improvements had been achieved within just eight months, including the upgradation of Karachi Cantt Station and the renewal of the Shalimar Express. He said Rs1 billion was being spent on modernising Rohri Station, while development work was in progress at Karachi City Station as well. Fourteen trains are being outsourced under government policy, and railway schools and hospitals are being shifted to private management while ensuring protection for employees.
He added that work on the long-delayed ML-1 project was also moving forward.
CM Murad Ali Shah welcomed the prime minister to Karachi and reaffirmed the Sindh government’s full support for the railway modernisation drive.
