Pakistan Railways has much to offer visitors eager to witness its glorious past, including bogeys once reserved for VIPs during the British era and even after independence, known for being among the most luxurious carriages on wheels.

Once exclusive to a select few, these compartments are now open to anyone willing to pay, allowing passengers to enjoy journeys from Rawalpindi to Lahore, Karachi or other parts of the country. In the past, this facility was available only to ministers or British officers, who exclusively enjoyed such travel arrangements.

The Minister Saloon is not merely a train compartment but a luxurious ‘palace on wheels’. Before 1987, a German-made bogey formed part of the Minister’s Saloon, which was later replaced by a Chinese carriage.

The saloon comprises two coaches and is decorated with teak wood. It was numbered 1937 and included a coach meant for the minister and his staff.

Among its luxurious facilities are a bedroom, drawing hall, dining space and rooms for the minister’s staff. The kitchen and personal staff quarters also include bedrooms and office space.

Air-conditioners, television and internet facilities are available in the Minister’s Saloon. One portion of the saloon has been converted into a living room, which previously served as a conference room where ministers and other government officials could conduct meetings while travelling.

Green curtains adorn the windows, while this section features a sofa set, dining table and chairs. Another part has been converted into formal bedrooms, where more than four people can easily sleep in one room.

The bogey is adorned with old fans and lights reflecting the traditional style of Pakistan Railways, while air-conditioners and heaters add modern comfort. A separate bathroom and wardrobe are also part of the bogey. In addition, a functioning kitchen includes an operating stove, refrigerator and microwave oven, allowing staff to provide food to passengers round the clock.

A special shed was built at Rawalpindi Railway Station where the saloon is parked, and regular maintenance is carried out at the Pakistan Carriage Factory. The Minister Saloon is brought to the station for visitors on rent, showcasing Pakistan Railways’ rich past and heritage.

Railway officials disclosed that the Minister Saloon was rarely used, yet millions of rupees were spent annually on its maintenance. Due to these expenses, Pakistan Railways decided that such a special train was no longer required.

Although the most luxurious coaches in Pakistan Railways were the Prime Minister’s Saloons, numbered 74 and 75 and stationed at the Mughalpura Workshop in Lahore, they were rarely used after the arrival of helicopters for official travel.

A few recent ministers have used old railway coaches for travel, and luxury saloons meant for ministerial use have largely remained dormant since 2022.

Talking to Dawn, Pakistan Railways Rawalpindi Superintendent Nooruddin Darwar said the minister and chairman saloons are available for rent to people wishing to travel from Rawalpindi to Karachi or Lahore.

He said the saloons were recently renovated and that the number of people seeking to rent them is increasing. According to him, the saloons are attached to the Green Line train to Karachi and to Lahore–Islamabad trains as per public requirements.

Mr Darwar said the services of attendants are also provided to those renting the saloons. He added that these trains were once assets used exclusively by ministers and other high-ranking government officials.

However, he clarified that the Prime Minister’s Saloon is not available for rent under railway policy, while the Minister and Chairman saloons have been opened to the public.

He said Pakistan Railways carries out maintenance work on a monthly and yearly basis to ensure the saloons are ready for use at any time. The cost of one trip ranges from Rs50,000 to Rs190,000, depending on the distance.

Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2026