LAHORE: Pakistan Railways has successfully privatized five passenger trains through a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement, fetching a remarkable Rs10.75 billion, The trains Awam Express, Millat Express, and Karakoram Express will now operate under private management, as will the Mianwali and Narowal passenger services.
These five trains previously generated a profit of Rs8 billion, and their outsourcing is expected to boost revenue further. Additionally, Pakistan Railways anticipates earning an extra Rs10 billion by privatizing freight train operations.
Federal Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi praised the efforts of the Chief Commercial Manager and the commercial team for their success in outsourcing these services. He expressed optimism that the railway’s total revenue could reach Rs1 trillion in the current fiscal year.
In a related move earlier this year, Pakistan Railways announced a significant benefit for journalists’ families, offering a 50% discount on train fares for the spouses of working journalists across the network, The concession, approved by the railway’s CEO and Senior General Manager, applies to eligible journalists’ wives for up to ten single journeys and covers all train classes except premium services such as the Green Line, Pak Business Express, and Shah Hussain Express.
To avail of this benefit, beneficiaries must present valid documentation. The initiative aims to provide financial relief and facilitate travel for media families, reflecting Pakistan Railways’ commitment to supporting the journalism community while maintaining clear guidelines on the scope of the discount.
