Pakistan Railways sets ambitious freight growth target

Pakistan Railways has endorsed a reform blueprint meant to turn the organisation into a contemporary, efficient, customer-focused and financially self-reliant body, according to Mettis Link News. An official from the Ministry of Railways said the strategy spans freight and passenger operations, infrastructure, greater private-sector involvement and digitalisation.

The railway wants its share of freight traffic to climb from 8 per cent to around 20 per cent once ML-1 is upgraded. Passenger share is targeted to rise from 5 per cent to 7.52 per cent after the same upgrade. Among the goods it hopes to carry more of are coal, containers, cement, fertiliser and rock phosphate. Work on ML-1, ML-2 and ML-3 is intended to boost how many trains can run, make travel safer, speed journeys and lift productivity.

On the digital side, the railway is introducing Wi-Fi at major stations, RABTA e-ticketing, live train tracking and automated freight booking. The RABTA app already offers digital booking and payment, while an SAP-based ERP system handles finance, procurement, payroll and stores. Officials also plan to transfer operation of selected hospitals and schools to outside management and widen private involvement in commercial land projects. According to the official, bringing in more private capital is expected to raise service standards, draw investment, ease the state's financial strain and boost revenue.