![# PM Accelerates Pakistan Railways Transformation Plan to Boost Regional Connectivity **ISLAMABAD** — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed federal authorities to expedite infrastructure upgrades across the national rail network, characterizing the modernization of Pakistan Railways as an economic imperative to position the country as a regional trade and logistics hub. Presiding over a high-level progress review of the **Pakistan Railways Transformation Plan** in Islamabad, the Prime Minister emphasized that rail remains the most cost-effective, environmentally sustainable, and efficient mode for mass transit and bulk freight. He warned that delays in execution would not be tolerated, mandating strict adherence to international quality standards and project timelines. ## Technical Blueprint: ML-1, ML-3, and Energy Corridors The Ministry of Railways presented a comprehensive operational update on key transit corridors under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and strategic public-private partnerships: * **Main Line-1 (ML-1):** The Detailed Engineering Design (DED) for the crucial Karachi–Rohri southern sector has been successfully completed. Physical tracks are slated to begin construction at Karachi Port to overhaul passenger and heavy freight lines stretching up to Peshawar. The Premier directed the immediate submission of execution proposals for the interconnected Rohri–Multan section. * **Main Line-3 (ML-3):** Upgradation works on the Rohri–Nok Kundi line will proceed using specialized bridge financing mechanisms tied directly to PSDP allocations to capture cross-border trade traffic. * **Thar Coal Connectivity Link:** The 112-kilometer rail line connecting the Thar Coal fields to the Chhor Railway Station has achieved 60% completion. The industrial supply line remains on track to become fully operational by December 2026. --- ## Institutional Reforms and Commercialization Strategy To transition the department from a state-subsidized entity into a revenue-generating asset, the federal government has engaged an international consulting firm to oversee structural corporate reforms. ``` [Pakistan Railways Structural Reform Model] ┌─────────────────────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────────────────────┐ │ Outsourced Operations │ │ Commercialization Phasing │ ├─────────────────────────────────┤ ├─────────────────────────────────┤ │ • Railway-operated Schools │ │ • 6 Major National Stations │ │ • Railway-operated Hospitals │ │ • Private Capital Integration │ └─────────────────────────────────┘ └─────────────────────────────────┘ ``` The review meeting was briefed that administrative responsibilities for railway-operated schools and healthcare facilities have already been successfully outsourced. The next phase of the commercialization program focuses on launching public-private investment tenders for six major national railway stations. This strategy follows a comprehensive reforms roadmap approved last month, which mandates full institutional digitization, passenger service improvements, and private-sector track usage rights. The high-level session concluded with targeted instructions to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning to ensure streamlined financing for the energy and trade corridors. The meeting was attended by senior cabinet members, including Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Ahad Khan Cheema, Hanif Abbasi, and Minister of State for Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani. --- ### SEO Metadata & Archive Details * **Suggested Slug:** `pm-shehbaz-pakistan-railways-modernization-ml1-plan` *(51 characters)* * **Short Keywords:** `Pakistan Railways Transformation Plan`, `ML-1 project Karachi to Rohri`, `Thar Coal rail connectivity`, `Shehbaz Sharif railway reforms`, `commercialization of railway stations` * **Long-Tail Keywords:** `Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs Pakistan Railways review meeting`, `Rohri to Nok Kundi ML3 track upgradation 2026`, `outsourcing Pakistan railways infrastructure and schools`](https://aamawaam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/06-most-wanted-terrorists-killed-in-joint-Lower-Dir-security-operation.webp "06 ‘most-wanted’ terrorists killed in joint Lower Dir security operation")
LOWER DIR — The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), alongside district police forces, eliminated six high-profile terrorists during an intense intelligence-based operation in the rugged, hilly terrains of Lower Dir on Wednesday.
According to official statements, the slain individuals belonged to the outlawed Fitna al-Khawarij (the state’s designated term for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan – TTP). They were directly implicated in the recent armed assault on the Badwan Bridge checkpost, an incident that resulted in the martyrdom of Police Constable Mohammad Ismail.
Security forces conducted a joint operation in Lower Dir, Peshawar, eliminating 6 highly wanted terrorists involved in multiple terror activities.
The militants were linked to attacks on police posts and the martyrdom of Constable Ismail. #SamaaTV pic.twitter.com/WUavwvUNhr
— SAMAA TV (@SAMAATV) June 24, 2026
Key Tactical Outcomes
- Security forces cordoned off the specific hilly hideouts based on precise intelligence reports, triggering an intense, prolonged exchange of fire when the suspects attempted to break out.
- Following a comprehensive search of the area, law enforcers recovered six Kalashnikov assault rifles, three hand grenades, and multiple rounds of live ammunition.
- Security personnel have extended the perimeter to track down fleeing accomplices and eliminate leftover sleeper cells in the district.
- KP Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed and Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the tactical precision of the joint task force, reaffirming the state’s resolve to establish constitutional writ.
Macro Security Context: Surge in Regional Militancy
This operation comes amidst a documented escalation in militant activity targeting security infrastructure across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Data from independent security audits reveals a volatile security landscape for the current fiscal cycle.
| Security Metrics Tracker (May 2026) | Data Points | Contextual Impact |
| Total Nationwide Terror Attacks | 128 Attacks | Up from 101 recorded incidents in April |
| Month-on-Month Percentage Increase | 27% Surge | Reverses a brief two-month downward trend |
| Recent Miranshah Engagement | 27 Terrorists Killed | Eliminated over a 72-hour sweep in mid-June |
| Bannu District Intel Operation | 1 Commander Killed | Neutralized a top facilitator of the Akhtar Muhammad network |
According to the monthly security assessment released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), the sharp deterioration in May highlights persistent tactical challenges in conflict-affected border belts, prompting the state to rapidly intensify kinetic counter-terrorism operations.
