GUJAR KHAN: The government is committed to bringing reforms to Pakistan Railways (PR) to upgrade its infrastructure in line with international standards in order to boost revenues and enhance public service.

This was stated by State Minister for Railways Bilal Azhar Kiyani while inaugurating passenger train stops in Sohawa and Jhelum on Sunday.

While inaugurating passenger train stops in Sohawa and Jhelum, the state minister said operations at Sohawa Railway Station were being resumed after over 17 years, adding Awam Express shuttling between Peshawar and Karachi would stop at the abandoned railway station. He announced that the railway station would soon be refurbished and upgraded to provide the best facilities to the passengers, adding that resuming operations in the tehsil would benefit both the local population and the department. In Jhelum, the minister inaugurated the stop of Rehman Baba train.

Meanwhile, the minister directed the Divisional Superintendent of Railways in Rawalpindi Nooruddin Dawar to ensure the provision of all facilities in both railway stations to boost public trust in the rail service.

On the other hand, residents of Gujar Khan have also urged the minister to increase the number of stops of Lahore-and Rawalpindi-bound trains at Gujar Khan Railway Station.

Talking to Dawn, the minister said upgrading Main Line 1 (ML-1) track was the top priority of the government. He said that a delegation from the World Bank had met him on Saturday to discuss the plans to introduce reforms and improve governance and infrastructure in PR.

He said the delegation was informed about Pakistan Railway’s plan to complete the section from Karachi to Rohri under the ML-1 project as soon as possible, adding technical and financial assistance from the World Bank and other stakeholders was sought to expedite the process. He said the WB delegation provided several recommendations to improve the efficiency of railways, and the ministry was considering them seriously.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2025