Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday that the digitisation of Pakistan Railways and the provision of modern facilities would play a key role in strengthening the national economy.

He added that the federal government, in collaboration with the Sindh government, would modernise the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) and upgrade all railway stations across the province and the country.

The premier expressed these views while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the new Shalimar Express and the newly upgraded waiting areas and lounges at Karachi Cantt Railway Station during his visit to Karachi.

The prime minister visited the upgraded waiting area, CIP lounge, dining hall and computerised ticketing system, accompanied by federal ministers, senior railway officials and the railways police chief.

The ceremony was also attended by foreign diplomats and Parliament members, senior officers from the federal as well as provincial governments. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

PM Shehbaz said that soon after assuming office, Abbasi had worked diligently to modernise the railway system and after revamping Lahore Railway Station, Karachi Cantt Station was now also upgraded with contemporary facilities.

He added that all railway stations in the province would be modernised with support from the Sindh government to ensure better travel facilities for the passengers.

PM Shehbaz said the Shalimar Express running between Karachi and Lahore has been converted into a new, upgraded train. He described Karachi as not only the economic hub but also “the heart of Pakistan”.

He reiterated that cooperation with the provincial governments of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan would continue to ensure modernisation across the railway network and help stabilise the economy.

The premier praised Abbasi’s leadership, calling him the “hero of today’s ceremony” and congratulating him for transforming the outdated railway system. He said the federal government would work with all provinces to extend the railway network to Central Asia, specifically highlighting the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway line project. He also emphasised reviving the Islamabad–Istanbul rail route.

He noted that Abbasi had initiated discussions with the Asian Development Bank for a $2 billion loan to further upgrade Pakistan Railways. Responding to CM Shah’s request to include the KCR project in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, the prime minister assured him of his full cooperation on the matter, calling it a vital initiative.

PM Shehbaz said that 154 railway stations had already been modernised, adding that he would recommend a presidential award for Abbasi once all stations, big or small, were upgraded.

Earlier, Abbasi said significant improvements were achieved in just eight months, including the modernisation of Karachi Cantt Station and the renewal of the Shalimar Express under PM Shehbaz’s guidance.

He added that Rs1bn was being spent on upgrading Rohri Station, while work was also underway at Karachi City Station. Abbasi said that 14 trains were being outsourced under government policy and railway hospitals and schools were also being given to private administration, while ensuring full protection for railway employees.

“Work on the ML-1 project is also progressing,” he added.

CM Shah earlier welcomed the prime minister to Karachi and reaffirmed full cooperation from the provincial government.