Pakistan Railways has presented an ambitious bullet train project between Lahore and Karachi, with the aim of reducing the travel time from almost 20 hours to only five by 2030.
The project is a fundamental part of the update of $ 6.8 billion ml-1 under the Chinese-Pakistan (CPEC) economic corridor. The 1,215 km line is expected to function at speeds of up to 250 km/I will include stations in Hyderabad, fine and sahiwal.
“The Bullet Train project is a visionary plan that will revolutionize trips and trade between Karachi and Lahore,” said Railroad Minister Hanif Abbasi, as reported by Radio Pakistan.
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“With the Chinese technical support, including the Chinese rail construction corporation, we are reinforcing the backbone of this nation,” said Abbasi, emphasizing the broader economic benefits. The project will have double -track lines, rebuilt bridges and modern signaling systems.
Beyond travel improvements, updates are expected to create thousands of jobs, promote regional trade and raise the participation of Pakistan’s rail load from 4% to 20% by 2030. Officials estimate that reducing the dependence on road transport will save billions in fuel imports.
Earlier this year, Punjab Prime Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif approved a separate bullet train initiative between Lahore and Rawalpindi, promising a travel time of only 2.5 hours.
The development occurs when the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is ready to intervene where the Chinese funds were delayed, agreed to support an update of $ 2 billion of the Karachi-Rohri railway corridor of 500 km.
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According to the sources, this track is key to transporting copper mineral from the highly anticipated Mina Reko diq. A consortium led by ADB is expected to formalize the agreement at the end of this month, with an international contractor designated through a competitive offer.
At the same time, Pakistan Railways has launched a broad digitalization and automation program throughout the country. Updates include the installation of computarized interlocking systems in the main unions such as Landhi and Badal Nala, adopting a digital microwave radio system along the Karachi-Lahore route and implementing Push digital networks to speak in multiple divisions to increase safety and operational coordination.
