KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the modernized Karachi Cantt railway station along with the newly upgraded Shalimar Express, marking a significant push toward revitalizing Pakistan’s railway infrastructure.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the Prime Minister commended Pakistan Railways for its efforts and praised the strong cooperation between the Sindh government and the federal authorities.
He said this model of partnership should be extended to Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to advance nationwide development in the rail sector.
Highlighting Pakistan’s strategic position, Shehbaz Sharif said Central Asia offers vast potential for railway expansion and that Pakistan’s proactive initiatives can transform it into a regional communications hub.
He added that the resumption of the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul train would usher in new economic opportunities and boost trade.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the federal and Sindh governments’ commitment to completing the Karachi Circular Railway project and assured that necessary funds for the Thar Coal railway link would be released to integrate Thar’s coal reserves with the national network.
He also lauded the Railways Minister for refurbishing 54 railway stations across the country and expressed hope that all stations would soon be modernized.
Earlier, the Railways Minister briefed the audience on key projects underway, including Pakistan’s first “smart and safe” railway station developed in Rawalpindi in collaboration with the FWO, and another high-tech station being established in Karachi equipped with 250 surveillance cameras.
