Federal Minister for Railways, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, has announced a landmark agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the Mainline-1 (ML-1) project, marking a pivotal shift in the modernization of Pakistan’s rail infrastructure.
During a high-level meeting in Islamabad, Minister Abbasi highlighted several technological milestones aimed at improving safety and efficiency:
Rawalpindi has been transformed into Pakistan’s first “safe and smart” railway station. The facility is now equipped with 184 AI-powered cameras providing 24/7 surveillance.
A new “Rail Tag” system has been launched, allowing the ministry to track trains and rolling stock in real-time to ensure better transparency.
To prevent infrastructure damage and increase revenue, a modern weighbridge was recently inaugurated in Karachi to eliminate the issue of overloaded freight.
The minister also shared updates on digital amenities designed for public convenience:
Free Wi-Fi services have been expanded to cover approximately 70% of total passenger traffic at major stations nationwide.
Fintech Integration: To promote a cashless economy, ATMs have been installed at various strategic railway hubs.
The meeting was attended by Defense Secretary Lieutenant General Muhammad Ali, Secretary of the Power Division Dr. Fakhar Alam Irfan, and DG NLC Major General Farrukh Shehzad Rao.
The Defense Secretary commended Minister Abbasi’s reform agenda, and the leadership collectively pledged to strengthen inter-institutional coordination to fulfill the Prime Minister’s vision for national development and public welfare.
