LAHORE – Pakistan Railways has decided to outsource 15 more passenger trains as part of its ongoing public-private partnership plan. The department has invited private companies to participate through an official advertisement. The move is aimed at improving efficiency and service quality.
An open auction will be held on June 16 at the Railway Headquarters in Lahore. Officials said the bidding process will determine which companies will operate the selected trains. The step marks another major effort by Pakistan Railways to involve the private sector in train operations.
According to official sources, several private firms have already been declared eligible for participation. The list of trains included in the outsourcing plan is large and covers major routes across the country.
The trains proposed for outsourcing include Hazara Express, Awam Express, Karakoram Express, Karachi Express, Millat Express, Fareed Express, and Bahauddin Zakariya Express. Other trains such as Ravi Express, Lasani Express, Thal Express, Mianwali Express, Sukkur Express, Narowal Passenger, Sialkot Express, and Faiz Ahmed Faiz Passenger are also part of the plan.
Officials said Pakistan Railways has taken this step to reduce operational pressure and improve financial performance. The department believes private sector involvement can improve service standards and punctuality.
However, previous attempts to outsource trains received limited response. Sources said earlier auctions attracted bids for only a few trains. Many routes did not receive any interest from private companies.
In some cases, companies withdrew after short-term operations. One private firm had taken control of the Mianwali Express under an earlier agreement. However, it later returned the train after operating it for a period, citing operational challenges.
Despite earlier setbacks, Pakistan Railways continues to push forward with its outsourcing strategy. Officials remain hopeful that the upcoming auction will attract stronger participation from private operators.
The department believes this initiative can help modernize services and reduce financial losses. It also aims to improve passenger experience across major railway routes in the country.
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The auction scheduled for June 16 is expected to be closely watched. Industry stakeholders are showing interest, but final participation will be confirmed on the bidding day.
