Islamabad: Pakistan Railway Minister Hanif Abbasi has announced a series of reforms and modernization efforts, including the installation of CCTV cameras on trains to enhance security and passenger safety across the country’s rail network. The decision comes as part of a broader effort to digitize and upgrade railway operations, stations, and services.

Speaking about Pakistan Railways’ performance in 2025, Hanif Abbasi highlighted that the organization earned over Rs 93 billion in revenue during the year. He added that the first half of the 2025-26 fiscal year is expected to generate Rs 50 billion, and by the end of the year, Pakistan Railways is projected to surpass the historic milestone of earning Rs 1 trillion for the first time in its history.

The Railway Minister also spoke about safety improvements, noting that the Safety Department has now been upgraded to a Safety Directorate. This upgrade has resulted in a notable reduction in railway accidents, with the accident rate falling from 0.09 percent to 0.04 percent. Since the establishment of the directorate, no serious railway accidents have been reported, reflecting the positive impact of the new safety measures.

Highlighting modernization at stations, Abbasi said that Rawalpindi has been transformed into the country’s first smart station, with advanced CCTV systems and security mechanisms in place. He confirmed that in 2026, other major stations will also be upgraded to smart stations, while trains themselves will be equipped with cameras to further improve security and monitoring of passenger services.

In terms of train upgrades, the minister stated that within just eight months, eight rakes—including Shalimar, Pak Business, Lasani, and Faiz Ahmed Faiz trains—have been modernized. By December 2026, all Pakistan Railways trains are expected to be fully upgraded. Additionally, major stations in Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad have been refurbished and equipped with digital systems. E-filing has been introduced for all official work, while ATMs, DVMs, and POS machines have been installed at major stations to improve passenger convenience.

Hanif Abbasi further announced that staff attendance has been fully computerized, ensuring that no employee can claim a salary without physically reporting to work. In addition, 394 acres of illegally occupied railway land were recovered in 2025, and the ministry aims to reclaim all encroached railway land by December 2026. Three railway schools have already been outsourced, with the remaining to be completed within six months, and eleven more trains are slated for outsourcing to improve operational efficiency.

The Railway Minister also addressed cleanliness and food quality at stations. Outsourcing arrangements have been implemented for stations in Lahore, Khanewal, Multan, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, ensuring that even late-night cleaning is carried out efficiently. Food quality at stations has also been improved, with food authorities authorized to conduct checks at any time.

On infrastructure development, Hanif Abbasi confirmed that the groundbreaking for the Karachi-Rohri track project is expected to take place in July. This is part of a larger plan to modernize the country’s railway infrastructure and improve connectivity between major cities.

Overall, the minister’s announcements reflect Pakistan Railways’ ongoing transformation, emphasizing security, modernization, digitization, and improved passenger services. With CCTV cameras on trains, upgraded stations, and enhanced operational oversight, the ministry aims to create a safer, more efficient, and passenger-friendly railway network across Pakistan. These initiatives are expected to boost revenue, enhance service quality, and restore public confidence in the national rail system.