Pakistan Railways is ready to launch a new advanced business train this week with the aim of offering passengers a modern and pleasant travel experience on the Lahore-Karachi route.
The new service will include 28 digitally equipped coaches, free Wi-Fi and an international standard dining car.
The move is part of the railway operator’s broader initiative to modernize his long-distance travel services and attract more passengers through improved facilities.
According to Pakistan Railways, the new business train is designed to meet international comfort and service standards that mark a significant upgrade from traditional offers.
The train’s route between Lahore and Karachi connects two of the country’s largest cities, a corridor known for demand for high passages.
Previously, Pakistan Railways had initiated the process of outsourcing 11 more trains, which will now work under the public-private partnership model (PPP).
Read: Railways privatization hits commuters with low income
While officials claim that this step is aiming to improve rail services, critics warn that it could marginalize low -income passengers that are very dependent on affordable trips between cities.
Railway authorities claim that outsourcing will lead to improved service quality. However, civil society representatives have expressed serious concerns that the shift may result in ticket prices, making travel more difficult for underprivileged communities.
Railways are still a popular and economic mode of transport for Pakistan’s poor and middle classes.
It is estimated that about 100,000 passengers use trains daily, primarily on larger routes connecting Karachi with cities over Punjab.
