Pakistan Railways to Outsource 13 Passenger Trains by December 31
Pakistan Railways has set December 31 as the deadline to outsource 13 passenger trains to private operators. Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi directed officials on Saturday to complete the advertisement, bidding and contract-award process before the year ends. Six trains are already being run commercially by private parties.
Pakistan Railways outsource plan: the 13 trains on the list
The trains marked for outsourcing are the Sandal, Allama Iqbal Express, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Fareed Express, Sukkur Express, Babu Passenger, Bulleh Shah Passenger, Mohenjodaro Express, Lasani Express, Sialkot Express, Karachi Express, Bahauddin Zakariya Express and Tezgam.
The list covers some of the country’s busiest routes, including services linking Karachi, Lahore, Sialkot, Sukkur and Multan.
Coaches, brakes and CCTV: the repair drive runs alongside
Abbasi also ordered a parallel push to fix the department’s rolling stock. Officials were told to restore faulty and so-called “dummy” coaches and wagons, and to replace defective brake cylinders, brake blocks and brake shoes.
Private vendors blamed for delayed supplies of equipment and material could be blacklisted, the minister warned.
Modern CCTV cameras will be installed at railway workshops and yards, where private security guards will also be deployed to stop theft. Locomotives under repair must return to service on schedule, and officials found negligent could face legal action.
Track renewal and bridge repairs
Track renewal work in the Sukkur division must finish by December 31, officials were told. The work is expected to cut running time by about 90 minutes.
Two flood-damaged bridges are also on a tight clock. The Mian Kallar Bridge is to be completed within 60 days, while the Lahore-Faisalabad railway bridge damaged in the recent floods should be rehabilitated within two months.
Record revenue sets the backdrop
The outsourcing push follows a record year for the department. Pakistan Railways earned Rs115.15 billion in FY2025-26, with freight bringing in about Rs40.8 billion and passenger revenue crossing Rs50.5 billion.
For FY2026-27, the department has set a Rs120 billion earnings target: Rs55 billion from passengers and Rs42 billion from freight.
Outsourcing does not mean privatisation
Abbasi has repeatedly stressed that outsourcing is not privatisation. Under the model, Pakistan Railways keeps ownership of the trains, tracks, engines and drivers, while private companies handle ticketing, onboard services and other commercial operations.
Earlier attempts drew a lukewarm response from the private sector. Several routes failed to attract bids over concerns about commercial viability, and the Mianwali Express was returned to the department after its private operator ran into financial and operational trouble.
What is the deadline for outsourcing the 13 trains?
The advertisement, bidding and contract-award process must be completed by December 31, 2026, on the orders of Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi.
Will Pakistan Railways be privatised?
No. The ministry says the department will retain ownership of trains, tracks, locomotives and drivers. Only commercial and passenger-facing operations of the 13 trains will go to private operators.
How many trains are already run by private firms?
Six trains are already being commercially operated by private parties, according to the railways ministry.
