Pakistan Railways is set to complete a major digital overhaul of its system by June 2026, aiming to bring better safety, fewer delays, and improved services for passengers.
In a meeting held on Monday in Islamabad, Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi reviewed the first phase of the Railway Advanced Infrastructure Network (RAIN) Project. The IT directorate shared details on the current progress and the roadmap ahead. Officials confirmed that Pakistan Railways will fund and carry out Phase-I entirely from its own resources, without outside help.
Key features of Phase-I
- GPS tracking installed on every train and locomotive for constant location updates.
- Development of modern, secure railway stations in key cities, following the example set by the upgraded Rawalpindi station.
- High-speed internet access rolled out at selected major stations.
- New command and control centers established at the Lahore head office and all divisional headquarters.
- Fiber optic cabling laid along 1,700 kilometers of the main ML-1 railway line.
- Systems put in place for live monitoring and decisions based on real-time data.
Minister Abbasi stressed that these changes will cut down on train delays and lower the risk of accidents. He pointed out that passenger experience will improve through better services, while day-to-day operations become more efficient. The new control setups, he added, will help teams respond quicker and more effectively during any emergency on the tracks.
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This digitization effort stands as the biggest technology push in Pakistan Railways’ history so far. It focuses on making the network safer and more reliable for millions who depend on trains every day.
The project aligns with ongoing efforts to modernize the country’s rail system, including separate upgrades to main lines and stations in recent years.
