KARACHI: On Monday, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif marked the inauguration of the newly upgraded Shalimar Express following its complete refurbishment.
During the ceremony held to celebrate the modernization of Karachi’s historic Cantt Station, the prime minister praised the station’s exemplary renovation. He highlighted the impressive improvements made to the first-class and economy coaches, asserting that the Shalimar Express now presents itself as a completely transformed train.
Sharif expressed satisfaction with enhancements such as the upgraded passenger lounge, dining hall, and automated ticketing system, commending the success of outsourcing efforts within the railways sector. He congratulated Federal Minister for Railways, Hanif Abbasi, for achieving significant progress in these developments.
Reflecting on Karachi’s past reputation as the “city of lights,” Sharif lamented the decline in its railway infrastructure over time. He shared that station cleanliness is now being managed by the Karachi Waste Management Company and emphasized that restoring the railway route to Central Asia has the potential to bolster Pakistan’s economy.
Confident in the plan’s viability, he assured attendees that the necessary funding for railway upgrades would be made available immediately. He acknowledged Hanif Abbasi’s leadership in steering Pakistan Railways toward becoming a modern transport system and emphasized that collaborative efforts with various provinces have been productive. This cooperation, according to Sharif, will be extended further to Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The prime minister expressed optimism about expanding Pakistan Railway’s network, with aspirations for it to emerge as one of the region’s premier transport systems in the near future. Alongside passenger services, he pointed out ongoing reorganization efforts within the freight sector.
Reaffirming his commitment to the Karachi Circular Railway project, Sharif described it as vital for addressing the city’s commuting needs. He stressed that modern services are being introduced across railway stations nationwide and noted ongoing restoration efforts for historic railway buildings.
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi highlighted that Cantt Station’s extensive renovations were achieved within a short timeframe and mentioned several additional reforms in the railway sector over eight months. He stated that Pakistan Railways faced severe challenges when he took charge but revealed significant strides had been made, including the modernization of Rohri Junction after 150 years and preserving historical structures.
Abbasi assured attendees that under the outsourcing model, employee rights would remain protected. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Sharif and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah for gracing the event with their presence.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah acknowledged his appreciation for both the prime minister and the railways minister while affirming his government’s commitment to improving Karachi’s transport infrastructure. He mentioned initiatives like introducing electric buses for commuters and pledged full support to federal projects aimed at advancing railway development in Sindh.
