• Project includes introducing GPS tracking for trains and locomotives
• Senate panel on railways elects new chairman

RAWALPINDI / ISLAMABAD: Pakis­tan Railways has launched a major initiative to digitise its network, which is scheduled to be completed by June this year.

The Directorate of IT delivered a detailed presentation during a meeting chaired by Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi on Monday, highlighting the progress and implementation plans of the ‘Railway Advanced Infrastructure Network (RAIN) Project Phase I’.

The minister was assured that RAIN Phase I — to be executed by Pakistan Railways itself and the largest digitisation initiative in its history — would be completed by June 2026.

According to the Directorate of IT, Phase I of the project will be fully executed using Pakistan Railways’ own revenue, reflecting the organisation’s financial self-reliance and operational sustainability.

The key components of Phase I include the introduction of GPS tracking for all trains and locomotives, and the establishment of safe and smart railway stations in major cities, modelled after the “successful Rawalpindi station”.

The project will also help provide high-speed internet at selected railway stations. It encompasses the setting up of command and control centres at the Lahore headquarters and all divisional offices. It further includes the “fiberisation” of 1,700 kilometres of the ML-1 railway network and enabling real-time monitoring as well as data-driven decision-making.

Mr Abbasi emphasised that the RAIN Project would significantly reduce train delays and accidents, enhance passenger services, and improve overall operational efficiency.

The new command and control systems will ensure rapid and effective responses in emergency situations.

The minister reiterated that the RAIN Project represented a major step towards modernising Pakistan Railways, making it a safe, efficient and passenger-centric organisation.

Senate panel

Meanwhile, the Senate Standing Committee on Railways on Monday elected Senator Shahadat Awan as its new chairman.

The election took place during a meeting of the committee held at the Parliament House.

The meeting was attended by Senator Shahadat Awan, Senator Ashraf Ali Jatoi, Senator Dost Ali Jeesar, Senator Rubina Khalid and Senator Nasir Mahmood. During the meeting, Senator Jeesar proposed the name of Senator Awan for the position, which was seconded by Senator Jatoi.

The committee later unanimously elected him as its chairman.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2026