Govt unveils Karachi-Lahore bullet train project

August 25, 2025 (MLN): The government is planning to introduce a bullet train between Karachi and Lahore by 2030, a landmark initiative under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that will reduce travel time between the two cities from nearly 20 hours to just five.

State broadcaster Radio Pakistan quoted Railways Minister Hanis Abbasi as saying that the 1,215 kilometer long high speed line will be built as part of the $6.7 billion Main Line-1 (ML-1) project an upgrade of the Karachi Peshawar railway corridor first agreed in 2017.

Under the plan trains will run at speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour with major stops in Hyderabad, Multan and Sahiwal, according to the press release issued.

The project to be executed with the assistance of the China Railway Construction Corporation will include new double tracks, rebuilt bridges and advanced signaling systems.

Officials said the scheme is expected to create thousands of jobs during construction and operation, boost regional trade and expand Pakistan’s freight rail share from 4% to 20% by 2030.

It will also ease reliance on costly road transport saving billions in fuel imports.

Despite its 7,700 kilometer network connecting major cities, Pakistan Railways has long struggled with outdated infrastructure, chronic delays and safety issues stemming from underinvestment and mismanagement.

In recent years, governments have introduced measures such as track rehabilitation, procurement of new locomotives and digital ticketing systems.

However, the bullet train project stands out as the most ambitious attempt to transform Pakistan’s railway system into a modern, efficient and competitive mode of transport.

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