ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways has officially signed Phase-I of the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), a major step toward modernizing the country’s freight system. The project aims to increase freight capacity, speed up cargo movement to and from Karachi Port, and reduce congestion on highways and terminals.
Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi described the initiative as a “milestone” for Pakistan Railways. He highlighted that the DFC will strengthen the organization’s revenue through freight charges, track access fees, and revenue-sharing arrangements.
Abbasi confirmed that the government is committed to launching Phase-II of the corridor as soon as possible. He said this aligns with the prime minister’s vision of turning Pakistan Railways into a modern trade facilitator.
The minister also thanked DP World and the Government of the United Arab Emirates for their partnership, calling it “the beginning of a new era for Pakistan Railways.” The collaboration is expected to attract more investment and improve operational efficiency.
In addition to the DFC, Pakistan Railways plans to introduce a new train service between Islamabad and Rawalpindi to better serve daily commuters. This decision followed a high-level meeting at Railways Headquarters in Lahore, chaired by Minister Abbasi and attended by Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi.
During the meeting, officials reviewed the overall security situation of Pakistan Railways, with special attention to railway lines and operations in Balochistan. Measures to enhance security across the network were discussed.
A joint crackdown on encroachments on railway land was also approved. The National Constabulary, in coordination with Railways Police, will take an active role in these anti-encroachment operations. The Interior Minister assured full cooperation from the Frontier Constabulary to enforce these measures effectively.
The signing of Phase-I of the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s efforts to modernize its rail infrastructure, improve cargo transit efficiency, and enhance revenue generation for the national railway network.
For more updates on Pakistan Railways’ services, read about the new passenger train launch in Sindh.
