KARACHI (April 21, 2026) — Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi announced on Monday that a massive rejuvenation project for the 480-kilometer Karachi-Rohri track will break ground this September. The $2 billion initiative aims to modernize one of the oldest and most critical sections of Pakistan’s railway network, originally constructed in the 1860s.
Major Rail Infrastructure Highlights
Karachi-Rohri Upgrade: A $2 billion project to modernize the 480km double line; work begins in September 2026.
Regional Connectivity: Plans are underway for a rail link to Central Asia and Europe via Iran; the tendering for the 87km Naukundi-Taftan section has started.
Thar Coal Link: The rail track from Islamkot to Chhor, connecting coal reserves to the national grid, is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Digitization: Pakistan Railways expects to complete its full digital transformation within one month.
Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi announced on Monday that work on the 480km long Rohri-Karachi track will start in September with an estimated cost of $2 billion.
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Education and Health Reform
Addressing a ceremony for the new International School Pakistan Railways Campus in Karachi, Minister Abbasi highlighted a shift toward public-private partnerships.
Schools: All 14 existing railway schools—previously described as being in “pathetic condition”—are being outsourced to private partners to ensure quality education for employees’ children.
Hospitals: Similarly, seven railway hospitals are being outsourced to international-standard providers to upgrade healthcare delivery for the railway workforce.
A Vision for Modernization
The event, also attended by Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi and Railways Secretary Mazahar Ali Shah, marked a broader effort to revitalize the department. Governor Hashmi praised the move to rehabilitate educational facilities, noting that the railway remains the most affordable and vital link for the common man. Minister Abbasi further noted that a recent agreement with the Punjab government will introduce advanced Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) locomotives and new regional fast-track routes to further expand the network’s capacity.
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