Railways to import 55 locomotives

E-Paper | March 03, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The Railways Board has been informed that preparations are afoot to import 55 high-powered locomotives from the United States.

During a meeting of the board held on Thursday after a gap of 10 years, Pakistan Railways (PR) Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Javed Anwar gave a briefing on the department’s organisational structure and operation.

Talking to Dawn after the meeting, he said 55 diesel-electric locomotives of 4,500hp each were part of the 75 locomotives which the PR planned to induct into its fleet.

He said bids had been opened, adding that two of them submitted by General Motors’ Electro-Motive Division and General Electric of the United States were being technically evaluated and would be finalised by June.

About the delivery of locomotives, Mr Anwar said the first engine would be delivered 18 months after the placement of the order with the manufacturing company. He said it was expected that the first locomotive would arrive from the US by the end of 2016.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2015

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Pakistan

Amin Ahmed is an Islamabad-based correspondent for Dawn with nearly two decades of experience in the field. He reports on socio-economic development, agriculture, and privatisation, as well as parliamentary committees.

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Rationalizer

May 02, 2015 07:48am

Why to import? Just build it yourself.

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aslam shaikh

May 02, 2015 07:49am

Such an agreement should also have included transfer of technology and building some locomotives locally in Pakistan.

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aslam shaikh

May 02, 2015 07:50am

US goes to China for buying latest generation of locomotives. We are going to US to buy old tech locomotives.

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Zaffar

May 02, 2015 07:56am

Why American? Chinese engines are the best in the world. Pakistan must source the engines from Iron Brother China.

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Woz Ahmed

May 02, 2015 08:06am

Good news. Thankfully we are buying quality and reliability this time .

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Z Tech

May 02, 2015 08:06am

Indeed a finest decision made so far. Railway is used by poorest of poor to Middle class population which constitute about 97% of the population. The GE engines are one of the best more over PR should also consider Germany and England for procurement. They can also have some sort of Transfer of Technology agreement whereby the NDC and PAEC can be utilized for there high tech manpower for the Transfer of Technology Purpose. PR should avoid Chinese engines at all cost because of there poor reliability and performance. Bravo PR, Lets move the nation

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Kalandar

May 02, 2015 08:22am

Why do we have to import locos from all the way United States? We have India who manufacture locos better than China and cheaper too. Afganistan is using Indian locos. Not inderstanding govts. Decision? Most of our earlier imports from China locos failed to deliver..

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seemab

May 02, 2015 08:23am

Chineese company providing Pakistani enignes did a fraud....they did not provided appropriated engines..and when complained on this matter...they stopped providing repair services...though being payed off..and none stand from our dear Chineese investors

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zafar

May 02, 2015 08:25am

Yes it is that time of a government's term when orders are have to be placed for "planes, trains, and many more". With a bankrupt railway and national airline, who ends up paying for these - the poor taxpayers of already a poor country. What happened to the last locomotives that we bought not more than 10 years ago when the railway is only shrinking in size? Why can't we buy stuff from China (a friend), which will perhaps cost only half as much? Many questions - no answers!

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Khwaja

May 02, 2015 08:55am

Where are those Engines bought from China in the era of notorious general Pervaiz Musharaf?

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Shivraj

May 02, 2015 09:19am

Ensure it's not like south Korean experience!

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khawja

May 02, 2015 09:25am

why we buy complete units why we are not assembled in Risalpur factory where facilities present for assembling and which increase the knowledge of technical staff and country self reliance. May be American offered more commission on complete built units. its in a complete favor of Americans companies because the tender make about their wishes in PR. PR people not make fool to nation and also to minister.

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PKR

May 02, 2015 09:34am

What happened to the Chinese Engines?When you can trust the defence of the country with Chinese Fighters JF7 ..why not continue with the rail engines.Most probably the issue could be lack of maintenance ,which could be the case with GE engines too.

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seth sarwar

May 02, 2015 09:44am

It is one of the best news to hear that Pakistan railways will import a product of quality. Pakistan Railways are the back bone of the nation and needs to be strengthen. Lets also revamp our Loco shop and assistance to upgrade the facility to manufacture locally.

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May 02, 2015 09:45am

@Woz Ahmed u mean to say locomotives from all season friends weren't good enough

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numbersnumbers

May 02, 2015 09:50am

Good locomotives will not last if spare/maintenance parts not properly procured by contract (and protected) ! Also rigorous maintenance program must be adopted otherwise all this will be for naught (again!).

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tauseef

May 02, 2015 09:51am

Good new but i hope and pray no corruption this time.

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Abdullah Yousuf

May 02, 2015 09:59am

US made Locomotives are world famous for their performance,atlast this time the M/O Railways took right decision.As soon as these are inducted the railway service will improve,and people will benefit and feel the difference.

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ashok kumar lal

May 02, 2015 10:10am

sensible decision, as India is also in process of importing these very locomotives, cost will be less.

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nation lover

May 02, 2015 10:11am

atlast made some good move instead trusting chinese products going to buy some valid and useful products for future of pakistan railways...!!!

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Bimal william

May 02, 2015 10:15am

Railway Engines of American make is much much better than Chinese one.Let it be speed or maintenance they are better placed.India also imported engines in 2002 then assembled here in India under technology transfer. These engines are as powerful as electric ones.As far as the diesel engines are concerned Americans have introduced latest technology for better and smooth operation.

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Sultan Alvi

May 02, 2015 10:35am

We should insist on transfer of technology from the manufacturer, and start to build ourselves. As a second choice we should import from Turkey or Iran. Lastly from China and India. India must be building top quality locomotives. Get a few on lease from India and try them out.

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syed wasim haider

May 02, 2015 11:03am

Did Parliament gave OK for this deal?

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Aurora

May 02, 2015 01:33pm

@ashok kumar lal : Strange! When such a govt decision was taken for the import of US locomotives to India recently or in the last 5 years plz inform. It was way back in 1960 few diesel locomotives were imported & one of them is kept in Railway Museum New Delhi if you ever visted that place. India manufactures all locomotives , diesel or electric of her own and at present has nearly 9500+engines of both types.

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Bharat Kumar Jaiswal

May 02, 2015 02:39pm

Import these from India. These will cost less.

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Tariq, Lahore

May 02, 2015 03:29pm

Why are our leaders so short sighted? Why don't they develop their own, this way they will generate employment, create infrastructure of the country and even generate export orders for the country!!

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cmh

May 02, 2015 06:17pm

What happened to locomotive factory Risalpur? Can't Pakistan make these engines here when we hear tall claims about making tanks to fighter jets? And we keep changing suppliers: China today US tomorrow. Isn't there something fishy?

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Z Tech

May 02, 2015 09:44pm

@Aurora They were indeed imported by the India. It is indeed correct, moreover that engine was airlifted to India in special aircraft.

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Z Tech

May 02, 2015 09:45pm

@Bharat Kumar Jaiswal India Manufacture 50 engines each year, a request was put previous year but they declined to supply the locomotives because of higher internal demand.

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