Latest news with #PakistanRailways'
Business Recorder
14-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
New modern Karachi-Lahore business train to be launched this week
Pakistan Railways has announced to launch a new state-of-the-art business train, set to commence operations this week between Karachi and Lahore, state-run media reported on Monday. According to PTV, this new service promises to significantly enhance the travel experience for passengers, particularly on the busy Lahore-Karachi route. The modern train will feature 28 digitally equipped coaches, designed to provide a comfortable and contemporary journey. Passengers onboard will enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi connectivity throughout their travel, a significant upgrade for business and leisure travellers alike. Additionally, the train will boast an international-standard dining car, offering premium meal services. This initiative is part of Pakistan Railways' ongoing efforts to modernise its fleet and improve passenger amenities, aiming to deliver a significantly enhanced and more comfortable travel experience between the two major cities. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is reportedly scheduled to inaugurate the new service in Lahore on July 19, marking a key milestone in Pakistan Railways' broader modernisation strategy, the state-run media added.
Business Recorder
05-07-2025
- Business Recorder
Court grants physical remand
ISLAMABAD: A local court on Friday granted a two-day physical remand of three former senior officials of Pakistan Railways' construction wing – Railcop – accused of issuing fake bank guarantees amounting to more than Rs1.16 billion. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)'s Anti-Corruption Circle arrested Syed Najam Saeed, the former chief executive officer (CEO) of Railcop, along with Muhammad Zubair Hussain, ex-controller of finance, and Mehrun Nisa, ex-director commercial. The suspects were produced before Duty Magistrate Muhammad Asif Hanjra, where the FIA requested a 10-day remand. However, the court approved only two days. According to investigators, the accused allegedly forged bank guarantees in the names of United Bank Ltd (UBL) and Bank Al Habib to obtain tenders for railway infrastructure projects. The fraudulent activity reportedly resulted in a loss of Rs164.9 million to the national exchequer. Defence counsel argued that the arrests had taken place without due process and questioned why no action had been taken against those who accepted the forged documents. The court rejected the request to discharge the accused. In a separate case, a man accused of murdering a 22-year-old university student of International Islamic University, Islamabad named Eman Afroz at a private hostel in federal capital was remanded in police custody for a further six days. The suspect, identified as Feroz, appeared before Magistrate Hanjra following the completion of an initial two-day remand. Investigators told the court they intend to travel to the city of Jhang to recover the suspect's mobile phone and to carry out forensic analysis on video evidence related to the case. Police had sought a seven-day remand. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
25-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
‘Inspection regime software': PITB, PR hold online meeting to initiate development
LAHORE In a move towards digital transformation, the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) conducted an online meeting on Tuesday with the Pakistan Railways (PR) to formally initiate the development of the 'inspection regime software.' The session was chaired by Pakistan Railways Secretary Syed Mazhar Ali Shah and attended by senior officials from both organisations. The PITB representatives included Additional Director General (ADG) Syed Qasim Ifzal and Joint Director (JD) Arsalan Manzoor, alongside Pakistan Railways' Chief Officers. The meeting outlined the strategic roadmap for launching the inspection regime software, a core component of Pakistan Railways' digital modernisation agenda. The software will be designed to enhance inspection protocols, ensure data-driven oversight, and improve the overall operational efficiency of Pakistan Railways. Both institutions reaffirmed their mutual commitment to deploying innovative, citizen-centric, and sustainable digital solutions to uplift public service delivery. In this regard, PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf stated, 'The digitisation of inspection regimes will enable Pakistan Railways to move toward more transparent, accountable, and efficient operations.' The initiative underscored the importance of inter-institutional collaboration in driving forward Pakistan's digital governance goals, with PITB continuing to lead the charge in public sector IT enablement. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
18-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Regional conflict derails Pakistan-Russia train
The departure of Pakistan Railways' first freight train to Russia has been cancelled due to regional instability triggered by the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, railway sources confirmed on Friday. The cargo train was scheduled to depart from Lahore on June 22 (Sunday) but has been postponed indefinitely due to border closures between Pakistan, Iran and other transit countries affected by the conflict. According to PR officials, the freight train was intended to be the first of its kind, aiming to travel from Lahore to the Russian city of Astrakhan. The train was to depart with sixteen freight wagons loaded with a variety of goods destined for Russia, with plans to increase the number of containers to thirty and eventually fifty in phased operations. The launch of the cargo train was part of PR's broader strategy to strengthen trade connectivity between South Asia and Central Asia, facilitating direct overland exports and imports with Russia, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan. "Due to the Iran-Israel conflict and related security risks, the train cannot be dispatched at this time. It will only depart once the war ends and the situation stabilises," railway sources said. The proposed route of the freight train included transit through Iran, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan before reaching Russia. The trade corridor was expected not only to enable Pakistani exports but also to bring in goods from Russia and Central Asian countries such as Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.
Express Tribune
17-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PM directs linking of Rekodiq with railway network by 2028
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed authorities to link Rekodiq with Pakistan's railway network by 2028 to enhance future transportation and cargo services. Chairing a meeting focused on the upgradation of Pakistan Railways and the proposed extension to Rekodiq, the Prime Minister also instructed the formation of an inter-ministerial committee to manage financing for the project. The committee is tasked with presenting recommendations regarding the necessary funds for both the development of the railway network and its expansion to Rekodiq. During the meeting, the PM was briefed on the progress of the ML-1 and ML-3 railway upgradation projects, which are part of Pakistan Railways' broader strategy to meet the future needs of both transportation and cargo services. PM Shehbaz highlighted that Pakistan Railways is a vital component of the country's economy and communication systems, describing it as a cheap, fast, and environmentally friendly mode of transport. He emphasised that the connection between the railway network and Rekodiq would stimulate Balochistan's mining and minerals sector while creating new employment opportunities for residents. The meeting was attended by several senior government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Minister of State for Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, and other key officials. This development comes after Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced that the World Bank Group had approved a $700 million loan for the Reko Diq mining project, despite strong opposition from India, which attempted to block the investment needed to meet the project's total $3 billion financing requirement. The World Bank Group approved the concessional package by rejecting Indian objections, Aurangzeb said while speaking during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance. Of the total, $300 million will be provided by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and $400 million will be extended by the International Development Association (IDA), both part of the World Bank Group. This marks the third instance in the past month where India has failed to block lending.
