View source for Pakistan Railways

{{short description|Pakistani state-owned railway company}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=August 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Pakistan Railways
| logo = Pakistan Railways Logo.png
| logo_size = 270px
| logo_alt = 
| logo_caption = 
| image = Pakistan Railways headquarters 1.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| image_alt = 
| image_caption = Pakistan Railways headquarters, [[Lahore]]
| native_name = {{Nastaliq|پاکستان ریلویز}}
| type = [[State-owned enterprise]]
| industry = [[Rail transport]]
| predecessor = [[North Western State Railway]]<br/>[[Pakistan Western Railway]]
| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|p=y|1886}}
| hq_location_city = [[Lahore]]-54010
| hq_location_country = Pakistan
| area_served = [[Pakistan]]
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|  ||Mazhar Ali Shah ([[Federal Secretary|Federal Secretary for Railways & Chairman of the Board]])| Aamir Ali Baloch (CEO, General Manager)}}
| services = {{Unbulleted list|[[Rail transport]]|[[Cargo transport]]|[[Parcel carrier]]|[[Catering]]}}
| revenue = {{Increase}} {{PKRConvert|48.65|b}}<ref>{{cite news|date=29 November 2021|title=Railways revenue increases by Rs1b in 2020-21|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/847655/railways-revenue-increases-by-rs1b-in-2020-21/|newspaper=[[Daily Times (Pakistan)|Daily Times]]|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>
| revenue_year = 2020–21
| net_income = {{Increase}} {{PKRConvert|−45|b}}<ref>{{cite news|last1=Shehzad|first1=Rizwan |last2=Ahmed|first2=Waqas|date=14 December 2020|title=Railways suffers loss of Rs45b in 2018-19 |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2275881/railways-suffers-loss-of-rs45b-in-2018-19|newspaper=[[The Express Tribune]]|access-date=14 December 2020}}</ref>
| net_income_year = 2018–19
| assets = 
| owner = [[Government of Pakistan]] {{small|(1947–present)}}
| num_employees = 72,078<ref name="Yearbook">{{cite book|year=2018|title=Year Book 2017–2018|url=https://www.pakrail.gov.pk/images/yearbook/yearbook2017_18.pdf|publisher=[[Ministry of Railways (Pakistan)|Ministry of Railways]], [[Government of Pakistan]]|page=3|access-date=2 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702153623/https://www.pakrail.gov.pk/images/yearbook/yearbook2017_18.pdf|archive-date=2 July 2019}}</ref>
| num_employees_year = 2016–17
| parent = [[Ministry of Railways (Pakistan)|Ministry of Railways]]
| divisions = 07
| subsid = 1
| homepage = {{ubl|{{URL|https://www.pakrail.gov.pk/}}}}
| module = 
| footnotes = 
}}
{{Infobox rail network
|name            = Pakistan Railways (PR)
|color           =
|logo            = 
|image           =
|caption         =
|infrastructure  = Pakistan Railways (PR)
|ridership       = 
|passkm          =
|freight         = 
|length          = {{convert|7789|km|mi}}
|doublelength    = {{convert|1,043|km|mi}}
|freightlength   =
|hslength        =
|gauge           = 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
|hsgauge        =
|el1             = 
|el1length       =
|el2             = 
|el2length       =
|notunnels       =
|tunnellength    =
|longesttunnel   = Khojak Tunnel
|nobridges       =
|longestbridge   =
|nostations      = 479
|highelevation   =
|highelat        = 
|lowelevation    =
|lowelat         =
|map             = [[File:Pakistan Railways Network Map.png|250px]]
|}}

'''Pakistan Railways'''{{efn|{{langx|ur|پاکستان ریلویز}}; [[reporting mark]]: '''PR'''}} is the [[state-owned]] railway operator in [[Pakistan]]. Founded in 1886 as the [[North Western State Railway]] and headquartered in [[Lahore]], it owns {{convert|7789|km|mi|abbr=off}} of operational track across Pakistan, stretching from [[Peshawar]] to [[Karachi]], offering both [[freight]] and passenger services, covering 479 operational stations across Pakistan.

In 2014, the [[Ministry of Railways (Pakistan)|Ministry of Railways]] launched ''Pakistan Railways Vision 2026'', which seeks to increase PR's share in Pakistan's transportation sector from 4% to 20%, using the {{PKRConvert|886.68|b}} [[China–Pakistan Economic Corridor]] rail upgrade. The plan includes building new [[Locomotives of Pakistan|locomotives]], development and improvement of current rail infrastructure, an increase in average train speed, improved on-time performance and expansion of passenger services. The first phase of the project was completed in 2017, and the second phase is scheduled for completion by 2021. Among them is the [[Karachi–Peshawar Line|ML-1]] project, which will be completed in three phases at a cost of {{PKRConvert|1.11|T}}.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hasnain|first=Khalid|date=2021-04-21 |title=Railway project sent to Chinese bank for approval of $6bn loan |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1619407 |newspaper=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|access-date=2021-06-04}}</ref> Until October 2022, these projects have not started construction or tendering.

Pakistan Railways is an active member of the [[International Union of Railways]]. In the 2018/19 financial year, Pakistan Railways carried 70 million passengers. Currently, it is suffering from poor maintenance.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Qureshi |first=Naeem |date=20 August 2019|title=Pakistan Railways achieves record income in 2018-19 |url=https://www.railjournal.com/financial/pakistan-railways-achieves-record-income-in-2018-19/ |magazine=[[International Railway Journal]] |access-date=20 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 July 2019 |title=Pakistan Transport Plan Study in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (PTPS) |website=openjicareport.jica.go.jp |url=https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/11821907_02.pdf |access-date=8 November 2023}}</ref>

Mazhar Ali Shah is the current federal secretary & chairman for Pakistan Railways.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Railways |first=Ministry of |title=Ministry of Railways |url=https://www.railways.gov.pk/ProfileDetail/NjIyMzVhZjMtYjNmZS00OTk4LTllYjYtMjk4NzY5NGZiMTAy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203074514/https://www.railways.gov.pk/ProfileDetail/NjIyMzVhZjMtYjNmZS00OTk4LTllYjYtMjk4NzY5NGZiMTAy |archive-date=3 December 2024 |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=www.railways.gov.pk |url-status=live }}</ref>

== History ==
{{Main|History of rail transport in Pakistan}}

=== North-Western State Railway (1886–1905) ===
In 1855, during the [[British Raj]], several railway companies began laying track and operating in [[Sindh]] and [[Punjab]]. The country's railway system was originally a patchwork of local rail lines operated by small, private companies, including the [[Scinde Railway]], [[Punjab Railway]], [[Delhi Railway]] and Indus Flotilla. In 1870, the four companies combined to form the [[Scinde, Punjab & Delhi Railway]]. Several other rail lines were soon built, including the [[Indus Valley State Railway]], [[Punjab Northern State Railway]], [[Sind–Sagar Railway]], [[Sind–Pishin State Railway]], [[Trans–Baluchistan Railway]] and [[Kandahar State Railway]]. These six companies merged with the Scinde, Punjab & Delhi Railway to form the [[North Western State Railway]] in 1886.<ref>{{Cite web |title=North Western Railway (India) {{!}} Science Museum Group Collection |url=https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/people/cp91437/north-western-railway-india |access-date=2025-09-25 |website=collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk |language=en}}</ref> 

=== North-Western Railway (1905–1961) ===
The North Western State Railway was renamed as North Western Railway in 1905.<ref>{{cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=North Western Railway (India) 1886 - 1947 |url=https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/people/cp91437/north-western-railway-india |access-date=7 September 2024 |website=Science Museum Group |publisher= |quote=}}</ref>

Following the [[partition of British India]] and [[independence of Pakistan]] in 1947, most of the North Western Railway infrastructure became part of the Pakistani territory. The country adopted {{cvt|8122|km|mi}} of the North Western State Railway; {{cvt|6880|km|mi}} was {{RailGauge|1676mm|lk=on}}, {{convert|506|km|mi}} was {{Track gauge|1000mm|allk=on}}, and {{convert|736|km|mi}} was {{RailGauge|762mm|lk=on}} [[Narrow-gauge railway|narrow gauge]].{{citation needed|date = March 2025}}

In 1954, a branch line was extended from the [[Karachi–Peshawar Railway Line]] to [[Mardan]] and [[Charsada]]. Two years later, the [[Jacobabad]]–[[Kashmore]] metre-[[rail gauge|gauge]] line was [[Gauge conversion|converted]] to 5&nbsp;ft 6 in (1,676&nbsp;mm) [[Broad-gauge railway|broad gauge]]. 

=== Pakistan Western Railway (1961–1974) ===
On 1 February 1961, the North-Western Railway was renamed the [[Pakistan Western Railway]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Thursday 26 January 1961 |url=https://britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003221/19610126/003/0001 |website=[[British Newspaper Archive]]}}</ref> In [[East Bengal]], the portion of the [[Assam Bengal Railway]] in Pakistani territory was renamed the [[Pakistan Eastern Railway]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name="history">{{cite web |title=History |url=http://www.railway.gov.bd/history.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071115201005/http://www.railway.gov.bd/history.asp |archive-date=15 November 2007 |access-date=10 February 2012 |website=Bangladesh Railway}}</ref>

The [[Kot Adu]]–[[Kashmore]] section of the [[Kotri–Attock Railway Line]] was built from 1969 to 1973, providing an alternate route from [[Karachi]] to northern Pakistan. 

=== Pakistan Railways (1974–present) ===
In 1974, Pakistan Western Railways was renamed Pakistan Railways. In February 2006, the {{convert|126|km|adj=on}} [[Hyderabad–Khokhrapar Branch Line]] was converted to 5&nbsp;ft 6 in (1,676&nbsp;mm). All narrow-gauge tracks in the country were converted to broad gauge or dismantled during the 2000s. On 8 January 2016, the [[Lodhran–Raiwind Branch Line]] double-rail project was completed.{{citation needed|date = March 2025}}

<gallery widths="150">
File:North Western Railway.jpg|An 1890s map of the [[North Western State Railway]]
File:Fortified Northwestern Railway bridge over the Indus at Attock LCCN2004707360.jpg|alt=Train crossing a river on a large bridge|[[Attock Bridge]] over the [[Indus River]] in 1895
File:Steam locomotive in Pindi station.jpg|alt=Grey steam engine on a siding|A 1932 steam locomotive at [[Rawalpindi railway station]]
File:Pakistan-Golra Railway Museum-Islamabad (1).jpg|alt=Stone railway station with a green roof|[[Golra Sharif Railway Museum]] and [[Golra Sharif Junction railway station|station]] in Islamabad
</gallery>

=={{anchor|Organisational structure}}Structure==
{{main|Ministry of Railways (Pakistan)}}
Pakistan Railways is a [[state-owned enterprise]] under the Ministry of Railways (MoR) of the [[government of Pakistan]], tasked with and primarily responsible for planning, administering and establishing passenger rail service and regulating railway companies and industries. Pakistan Railways policy and development are administered by the ministry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railways.gov.pk/|title=Government of Pakistan Ministry of Railways|access-date=6 January 2018}}{{nonspecific|date=May 2023}}</ref> From 1947 to 1959, the [[Pakistan Western Railway]] and [[Pakistan Eastern Railway]] were administered by the Railway Division of the [[Ministry of Communications (Pakistan)|Ministry of Communications]], headed by the Director General of Railways (DG Railways) in the ministry. In 1959, an ordinance was passed by [[Parliament of Pakistan|Parliament]] outlining the need for a semi-autonomous railway board. The board was conceived in accordance with the principal powers of the central government as stipulated in the Railways Act IX of 1890. After the first session of the third [[National Assembly of Pakistan|national assembly]], [[President of Pakistan|President]] [[Muhammad Ayub Khan (politician)|Muhammad Ayub Khan]] issued Presidential Order 33 on 9 June 1962. The order directed the transfer of control of both railways (PWR and PER) from the central government to the provincial governments of West Pakistan and East Pakistan, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|title=History|url=http://www.railway.gov.bd/history.asp|website=railway.gov.bd|publisher=[[Bangladesh Railway]]|access-date=18 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071115201005/http://www.railway.gov.bd/history.asp|archive-date=15 November 2007}}</ref> When PO 33 came into effect on 1 July 1962, railway boards were established by both provinces (repealing the Railway Board Ordinance of 1959).<ref>{{cite report|author1=International Bank for Reconstruction and Development|author-link1=International Bank for Reconstruction and Development|author2=International Development Association|author-link2=International Development Association|date=31 August 1962|title=Appraisal of the Pakistan Railways Project|url=http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDSContentServer/IW3P/IB/2001/02/21/000178830_98101903470931/Rendered/PDF/multi_page.pdf|publisher=Department of Technical Operations|page=2|id=TO-339a|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>

The presidential order reinstated a separation convention that began in the fiscal year 1961–62, which kept railway finances separate from general finances and gave each board more autonomy. In 1974, the Ministry of Railways was established to handle planning, policy-making, technical advice, and management of the railway. In 1982, a presidential order merged the Ministry of Railways with the Railway Board, creating a federal ministry.

=== Railway Board ===
The Railway Board, in existence from 1959 to 2000, was modified with an executive committee from 2000 and 2014. The Railway Board was reconstituted on 20 February 2015. The Board members are:
* Federal Secretary Railways (Chairman of Board)
* Federal Secretary Communications 
* [[Finance Secretary of Pakistan]]
* [[Planning and Development Secretary of Pakistan]]
* General Manager Railways (Operations)
* General Manager Railways (Manufacturing and Services)
* Member Finance, Ministry of Railways

==={{anchor|Functional units|Operating units|Divisions}}Units and divisions===
Pakistan Railways has three functional units: operations, manufacturing and welfare and special initiatives. The operations unit is divided into three main departments. The Infrastructure Department oversees civil engineering, signaling, telecommunications, design and the directorate of property. The Mechanical Engineering Department oversees mechanical engineering, purchasing, stores and electrical engineering, and the Traffic Department oversees passenger facilities, operations, marketing and the directorate of information technology. Several smaller departments, including personnel, railway police, planning, legal affairs, public relations and the [[Pakistan Railways Academy]], are also part of the operations unit.

The railway has seven territorial operating divisions:

{{Colbegin|colwidth=20em}}
# Pakistan Railways Karachi Division
# Pakistan Railways Sukkur Division
# Pakistan Railways Multan Division
# Pakistan Railways Lahore Division
# Pakistan Railways Rawalpindi Division
# Pakistan Railways Peshawar Division
# Pakistan Railways Quetta Division
{{Colend}}

In addition to these 07 divisions, ''Mughulpura Division, Lahore'' is primarily engaged with maintenance of rolling stock.

=={{anchor|Locomotives|Freight wagons}}Rolling stock==
{{main|Locomotives of Pakistan}}
[[File:Pakistan locomotive RGE-24.jpg|thumb|A Pakistan Railways diesel locomotive]]
[[File:Ali Mujtaba Golra Railway Museum Islamabad Pakistan DSC 1715 m.jpg|thumb|A Pakistan Railways electric locomotive]]
Pakistan Railways has 190 working [[diesel-electric locomotive]]s. The average life of the fleet is 25 years, and they are serviced at the [[Pakistan Locomotive Factory]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Achievements and Plans|url=https://www.pakrail.gov.pk/Achievements.aspx|website=pakrail.gov.pk|publisher=Pakistan Railways|access-date=7 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008102028/https://www.pakrail.gov.pk/Achievements.aspx|archive-date=8 October 2018}}</ref>

In January 2016, the railway ordered 800 [[Hopper car|hopper wagons]] from [[CRRC Shandong|Jinan Railway Vehicles Equipment]]. The first 205 wagons will be built in China, and the remaining 595 wagons will be assembled at the Moghalpura Railway Workshops in Pakistan. The wagons will carry coal to [[power station]]s in [[Karachi]] and [[Qadirabad]].<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Keith|last=Barrow|date=14 January 2016|title=Pakistan Railways orders 800 wagons from CRRC|url=http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/rolling-stock/pakistan-railways-orders-800-wagons-from-crrc.html?channel=000|magazine=[[International Railway Journal]]|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>

In 2017, 55 additional locomotives (4000 horsepower) manufactured in the United States were added to the Pakistan Railways fleet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radio.gov.pk/22-Jan-2017/7-modern-locomotives-arrive-at-karachi-port-from-us|website=Radio Pakistan website|title=7 Modern Locomotives Arrive at Karachi Port from US|archive-date=26 January 2017|access-date=10 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126161311/http://www.radio.gov.pk/22-Jan-2017/7-modern-locomotives-arrive-at-karachi-port-from-us}}</ref>

In July 2025, the operator decided to hand over the commercial management of 11 trains to the private sector in an effort to improve travel facilities and increase revenue.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-07-15 |title=Pakistan Railways to privatize 11 more trains to boost services, revenue |url=https://www.nation.com.pk/15-Jul-2025/pakistan-railways-to-privatize-11-more-trains-to-boost-services-revenue |access-date=2025-07-15 |website=The Nation |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Alam |first=Sher |date=2025-07-15 |title=Pakistan Railways to Hand Over Management of 11 Trains to Private Sector |url=https://propakistani.pk/2025/07/15/pakistan-railways-to-hand-over-management-of-11-trains-to-private-sector/ |access-date=2025-07-15 |website=ProPakistani |language=en-US}}</ref> These included [[Hazara Express]], [[Bahauddin Zakaria Express]], [[Millat Express]], [[Subak Kharam|Subak Kharam Express]], [[Rawal Express]], [[Badar Express]], [[Ghouri Express|Ghori Express]], Ravi Express, Thall Express, [[Faiz Ahmed Faiz Passenger]], and Mohenjo Daro Passenger.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> The infrastructure and regulatory control of the trains were retained by Pakistan Railways, however.<ref name=":0" />

=={{anchor|Pakistan Locomotive Factory|Carriage Factory Islamabad|Moghalpura Railway Workshops|Concrete Sleeper Factories}}Manufacturing==

===Pakistan Locomotive Factory Risalpur===
{{main|Pakistan Locomotive Factory}}
The Pakistan Locomotive Factory was established in [[Risalpur]] in 1993 at a cost of {{PKRConvert|228.4|m}}. Its function is to manufacture indigenous diesel electric and electric locomotives, thus allowing Pakistan Railways to have less dependency on foreign technology. The factory has capacity to manufacture 25 locomotives per year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nation.com.pk/national/29-Oct-2013/locomotives-to-be-built-at-risalpur-saad-rafiq |title=Locomotives to be built at Risalpur: Saad Rafiq |publisher=Nation.com.pk |date=2013-10-29 }}</ref> Technology for manufacturing of locomotives has been acquired from [[Hitachi]] Japan, [[GE Transportation|General Electric]], [[Adtranz|ADtranz]] Germany and [[CRRC Dalian|Dalian Locomotives & Rolling Stock Works]], China.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.railways.gov.pk/gop/index.php?q=aHR0cDovLzE5Mi4xNjguNzAuMTM2L3JhaWx3YXlzd2ViLy4vZnJtRGV0YWlscy5hc3B4P29wdD1taXNjbGlua3MmaWQ9MjQ%3D |title=Ministry of Railways |access-date=2014-07-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425012801/http://www.railways.gov.pk/gop/index.php?q=aHR0cDovLzE5Mi4xNjguNzAuMTM2L3JhaWx3YXlzd2ViLy4vZnJtRGV0YWlscy5hc3B4P29wdD1taXNjbGlua3MmaWQ9MjQ%3D |archive-date=2015-04-25 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://pakobserver.net/201402/28/detailnews.asp?id=234974 |title= Productivity of Risalpur Locomotive Factory to be enhanced: Rafiq |access-date=2014-07-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715022217/http://pakobserver.net/201402/28/detailnews.asp?id=234974 |archive-date=2014-07-15 }}</ref>

===Carriage Factory Islamabad===
Pakistan Railways Carriage Factory, [[Islamabad]] was set up in 1970 under the technical collaboration of [[LHB coach|LHB]], Germany for manufacture of passenger carriages. The capacity of the Factory is 150 passenger coaches per year on single shift basis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/03/19/city/islamabad/carriage-factory-rehabilitates-690-coaches/|title=Carriage factory rehabilitates 690 coaches|website=www.pakistantoday.com.pk}}</ref>

===Moghalpura Railway Workshops===
The Moghalpura Railway Workshops, on the [[Lahore–Wagah Branch Line]] at [[Moghalpura Junction railway station]] (MGPR) in [[Lahore]], are one of several rolling-stock repair sites. The workshop complex emerged at its present site in 1904 to manufacture, repair and overhaul passenger coaches and freight wagons for the [[North Western State Railway]]. In 1947, it was the only state-of-the-art workshop for Pakistan Railways.<ref>{{cite news|last=Siddiqui|first=Zaheer Mahmood|date=9 September 2016|title=Footprints: Inside the Mughalpura Workshops|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1282981|newspaper=Dawn newspaper|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref> After partition, the Moghalpura Railway Workshops continued to host some 14,000 workers specializing in engineering skills.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kibria |first=Ghulam |title=A Shattered Dream: Understanding Pakistan's Underdevelopment |date=1999 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-577947-9 |location=Karachi |page=14}}</ref>

===Concrete Sleeper Factories===
The railway owns five [[concrete sleeper]] factories in [[Sukkur]], [[Khanewal]], [[Kohat]], Shahinabad and [[Kotri]]. The first factory was established in Sukkur in 1967, and the other four factories were opened between 1979 and 1981.{{Citation needed|date=December 2017}}

==Network==
{{Main list|List of railway lines in Pakistan}}

==={{anchor|Railway lines}}Lines===
The Pakistan Railways network is divided into main lines and branch lines. The Karachi–Peshawar Line is the main north-south line, and the Rohri–Chaman Line is the main east-west line.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-21 |title=Pakistan Railway Train Timing and Train Ticket Price 2025 |url=https://moveinpak.com/ |access-date=2025-01-14 |language=en-US}}</ref>

====Main lines====
* ''Main Line 1 (ML-1)'' [[Karachi–Peshawar Line]]
* ''Main Line 2 (ML-2)'' [[Kotri–Attock Line]]
* ''Main Line 3 (ML-3)'' [[Rohri–Chaman Line]]
* ''Main Line 4 (ML-4)'' [[Quetta–Taftan Line]]
* ''Main Line 5 (ML-5)'' [[Khunjerab Railway|Taxila–Khunjerab Line]]

====Branch lines====
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* [[Hyderabad–Khokhrapar Branch Line]]
* [[Sher Shah–Kot Addu Branch Line]]
* [[Lodhran–Khanewal Branch Line]]
* [[Lodhran–Raiwind Branch Line]]
* [[Khanewal–Wazirabad Branch Line]]
* [[Shorkot–Sheikhupura Branch Line]]
* [[Shorkot–Lalamusa Branch Line]]
* [[Jand–Thal Railway|Jand-Thal Branch Line]]
* [[Nowshera–Dargai Railway]]
* [[Daud Khel–Lakki Marwat Branch Line]]
* [[Malakwal–Khushab Branch Line]]
* [[Sangla Hill–Kundian Branch Line]]
* [[Lahore–Wagah Branch Line]]
* [[Shahdara Bagh–Sangla Hill Branch Line]]
* [[Shahdara Bagh–Chak Amru Branch Line]]
* [[Wazirabad–Narowal Branch Line]]
* [[Golra Sharif–Basal Branch Line]]
* [[Sibi-Zardalu Branch Line]]

}}

===Tracks===
[[File:'AA By @ibneazhar-Historical Rawalpindi railway Station-Pakistan (4).JPG|thumb|Tracks at Rawalpindi station]]

The Pakistan Railways network comprises 7,791 route-kilometres (7,346&nbsp;km of [[Broad-gauge railway|broad gauge]] and 445&nbsp;km of [[Metre-gauge railway|metre gauge]]). There are 1,043&nbsp;km of [[double-track]] sections (in total).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/11821907_02.pdf |title=Pakistan Transport Plan Study in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (PTPS)
|date=28 March 2006 |website=openjicareport.jica.go.jp|archive-date=27 Oct 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027093558/https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/11821907_02.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>

The broad-gauge track axle load limit is 22.86 tonnes, except for the [[Rohri–Chaman Line]] (limit 17.78 tonnes) and [[Quetta–Taftan Line]] (limit 17.27 tonnes). The maximum speed on most lines is {{convert|105|km/h}}, but upgraded sections of the [[Karachi–Peshawar Line]] allow speeds up to {{convert|120|km/h}}. In future, Pakistan Railways aim to upgrade all main lines to {{convert|160|km/h}}.<ref>{{cite news|date=5 January 2017|title=Upgradation of ML-1 would escalate train's speed by 160 km/h: Saad Rafique|url=http://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/368934-Upgradation-of-ML1-would-escalate-trains-speed-b|work=[[Dunya News]]|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>
{{clear}}

===Electrification===
The [[Lahore]]–[[Khanewal]] line was electrified at [[25 kV AC railway electrification|25 kV AC]], but electric service had ceased by 2011. The theft of [[Overhead line|overhead wire]] was cited as a reason.<ref>{{cite web|last=Banerji|first=Ajai|date=23 July 2015|title=The forgotten electric locomotives of Pakistan|url=https://abn397.wordpress.com/2015/07/23/the-forgotten-electric-locomotives-of-pakistan/|website=abn397|via=[[WordPress.com]]|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Haq|first=Shahram|date=28 February 2011|title=Pakistan Railways: Electrical locomotives wrapped up|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/124828/pakistan-railways-electrical-locomotives-wrapped-up/|newspaper=[[The Express Tribune]]|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref> The future electrification with 25 kV AC requiring minimum overhead wiring height must be {{cvt|7.45|m|ftin}} above top of rail and minimum track center spacing must be {{cvt|5.3|m|ftin}}, and platform height must be no more than {{cvt|200|mm|in|1}} above top of rail, to prevent catenary thefts.

===Rail links with adjacent countries===
*[[Transportation in Iran|Iran]] – Pakistan Railways is connected to the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Railways]] at [[Zahedan railway station|Zahedan]], where a [[break-of-gauge]] exists between the {{RailGauge|1676mm|allk=on}} [[Quetta–Taftan Line]] and the {{RailGauge|sg}} [[Kerman]]–[[Zahedan]] line. The link was completed on 18 May 2007.
*[[Transport in Afghanistan|Afghanistan]] – Presently there is no rail link to [[Afghanistan]], but Pakistan Railways has proposed to help build an Afghan rail network in three phases. Phase one would stretch from the [[Chaman]] to [[Spin Boldak]] as an extension of the [[Rohri–Chaman Line]]. Phase two would extend the line from Spin Boldak to [[Kandahar]]. Phase three would run from Kandahar to [[Herat]] and [[Serhetabat|Khushka]], [[Turkmenistan]], linking the {{RailGauge|1676mm|allk=on}} with the [[Central Asia]]n {{RailGauge|1520mm|lk=on}}. It is unknown where the break-of-gauge station would be.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hussain|first=Fida|date=8 May 2005|title=Govt considers railway links with central Asia|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_8-5-2005_pg5_7|newspaper=[[Daily Times (Pakistan)|Daily Times]]|access-date=31 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060525012118/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_8-5-2005_pg5_7|archive-date=25 May 2006}}</ref> Another proposal would extend the [[Karachi–Peshawar Line]] to [[Kabul]] via [[Jalalabad]].
*[[Transportation in Turkmenistan|Turkmenistan]] via Afghanistan – Proposed, avoiding the intervening {{RailGauge|sg}} gauge<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Stubbs|first=John|date=1 January 2007|title=Closing the gap from Bam to Zahedan|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view//closing-the-gap-from-bam-to-zahedan.html|magazine=[[Railway Gazette International]]|access-date=31 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221232357/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/closing-the-gap-from-bam-to-zahedan.html|archive-date=21 December 2010}}</ref>
*[[Transportation in China|China]] – There is no present rail link with [[China]]. On 28 February 2007, contracts were awarded for feasibility studies on the [[Khunjerab Railway|Taxila–Khunjerab Line]], extending it from [[Havelian]] via the [[Khunjerab Pass]] to the Chinese [[railhead]] at [[Kashgar]], a distance of about {{convert|750|km}}.<ref>{{cite news|date=19 February 2007|title=PR signs deal with foreign firm for pre-feasibility study of Pakistan-China rail link|url=http://www.app.com.pk/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4200&Itemid=2|publisher=[[Associated Press of Pakistan]]|access-date=28 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927192717/http://www.app.com.pk/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4200&Itemid=2|archive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref>
*[[Transportation in Turkey|Turkey]] – The completion of the Pakistan–Iran link has made it possible, in principle, to run trains between Pakistan and Turkey via Iran. A [[container train]] trial service was begun by Prime Minister [[Yusuf Raza Gilani]] between Islamabad and [[Istanbul]] on 14 August 2009. The first train carried 20 [[Intermodal container|containers]] with a capacity of about {{cvt|750|t|LT ST|0|lk=on}},<ref name="railcapacity">{{cite news|url=http://www.pakistantimes.net/pt/detail.php?newsId=3343|title=First container train service from Islamabad to Turkey begins Today|date=15 August 2009|newspaper=[[Pakistan Times]]|access-date=15 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719023223/http://www.pakistantimes.net/pt/detail.php?newsId=3343|archive-date=19 July 2011|url-status=usurped|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and was scheduled to travel {{cvt|6500|km|mi|-2}} from Islamabad through [[Tehran]] to Istanbul.<ref name="DailyTimes_2009-08-15">{{cite news|date=15 August 2009|title=Rail links to enhance trade ties among ECO states: Gilani|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\08\15\story_15-8-2009_pg7_12 |newspaper=[[Daily Times (Pakistan)|Daily Times]]|access-date=15 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919052513/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\08\15\story_15-8-2009_pg7_12|archive-date=19 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ahmed|first=Baseer|date=24 January 2016|title=Pakistan pursuing revival of train service between Pakistan, Turkey via Iran|url=http://aaj.tv/2016/01/pakistan-pursuing-re-start-of-container-train-service-between-pakistan-turkey-via-iran/|work=[[Aaj News]]|agency=[[Associated Press of Pakistan]]|access-date=31 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125082013/http://aaj.tv/2016/01/pakistan-pursuing-re-start-of-container-train-service-between-pakistan-turkey-via-iran/|archive-date=25 January 2016}}</ref> An [[Istanbul]]–[[Tehran]]–[[Islamabad]] passenger rail service has also been proposed. In 2009, Minister for Railways [[Ghulam Ahmad Bilour]] expressed the hope that after the container-train trial a passenger train would be introduced.<ref>{{cite news|date=15 August 2009|title=PM launches trial phase of Pak-Turkey train service|url=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/13+gilani+launches+trial+phase+of+islamabad-istanbul+train+service-za-06|newspaper=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|access-date=15 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090818170922/http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/13+gilani+launches+trial+phase+of+islamabad-istanbul+train+service-za-06|archive-date=18 August 2009}}</ref> There are also hopes that the route would link [[Europe]] and [[Central Asia]] and carry passengers.<ref name="BBC_2009-08-14">{{cite news|date=14 August 2009|title=Pakistan–Turkey rail trial starts|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8201934.stm|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=16 August 2009}}</ref>
*[[Rail transport in India|India]] – Two rail links to India exist: the ''[[Thar Express]]'' from [[Jodhpur, Rajasthan]] to [[Karachi]] and the ''[[Samjhauta Express]]'' from [[Delhi]] to [[Lahore]]. The more rail links (including reopening) being proposed.
*Russia – Proposed {{RailGauge|1676mm|allk=on}} Indian broad-gauge corridors extension via Central Asia

=={{anchor|Services}}Service==
==={{anchor|Passenger services|Amenities}}Passenger service===
Passenger traffic is 50 percent of total annual revenue; in 1999–2000, this amounted to {{PKRConvert|4.8|b}}. Pakistan Railways carried 52.2&nbsp;million passengers in 2016 and operates 28 mail, express and passenger trains. The railway carries a daily average of 178,000 people, and provides special trains for [[Eid al-Fitr]], [[Eid al-Adha]], [[Independence Day (Pakistan)|Independence Day]] and [[Raiwind|Raiwind Ijtema]]. It set up a website during the early 2000s to provide travelers with up-to-date information about seat availability, departures and arrivals. Online ticket purchase was added to the website in 2016, with reservations confirmed by [[SMS]]. [[Wi-Fi]] service is included on the ''[[Green Line Express]]''.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
!
!2004
!2005
!2006
!2007
!2008
!2009
!2010
!2011
!2012
!2013
!2014
!2015
!2016
!2017
!2018
|-
| Passengers (millions)<ref name="Yearbook" />
| align=center|72.8
| align=center|81.4
| align=center|83.8
| align=center|79.9
| align=center|82.5
| align=center|74.9
| align=center|64.9
| align=center|41.0
| align=center|41.9
| align=center|47.6
| align=center|48.5
| align=center|50.9
| align=center|52.2
| align=center|52.4
| align=center|60.0
|}

=== {{anchor|Freight services}}Freight service ===
Pakistan Railways was the predominant mode of freight transportation from coastal ports to the interior. At their peak, between 1955 and 1960, PR handled 73 percent of the country's freight traffic (compared to less than four percent in 2015). The Freight Business Unit operates over 200 freight stations, including the [[Port of Karachi]] and [[Bin Qasim Port]], and several [[dry port]]s in Pakistan's four provinces. With 12,000 employees, the unit generates revenue from the movement of agricultural, industrial and imported products such as [[Mineral oil|petroleum oil]] and lubricants, wheat, coal, fertilizer, [[Phosphorite|rock phosphate]], cement and sugar from the ports to the interior. 
{{Wikinews|Pakistan to Turkey container train service launched}}

On 14 August 2009, Prime Minister [[Yusuf Raza Gilani]] launched a freight train between Islamabad and [[Istanbul]] via [[Tehran]]. The first train carried 20 [[Intermodal container|containers]] with a capacity of {{cvt|750|t|LT ST|0|lk=on}},<!-- See [[User talk:Yousaf465#Which Ton]]? --><ref name="railcapacity" /> and made the {{cvt|6500|km|mi|-2}} trip from Islamabad to [[Tehran]] and Istanbul in two weeks.<ref name="DailyTimes_2009-08-15" /><ref name="BBC_2009-08-14" /><ref>{{cite web |date=5 August 2009 |title=Pakistan Plans Passenger Rail Between Pakistan, Iran and Turkey |url=https://www.railway-technology.com/uncategorised/news61296-html/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613013252/https://www.railway-technology.com/uncategorised/news61296-html/ |archive-date=13 June 2018 |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=Railway Technology}}</ref> In 2015, freight carried by Pakistan Railways increased significantly to 3.3 million tons.

On 22 February 2020, the first cargo train bound for Afghanistan left the Pakistan International Container Terminal in Karachi, with a load of 35 containers. The goods were transported to the city of Chaman, neighbouring Afghanistan, and passed over the border by road.<ref>{{cite news |date=24 February 2020 |title=Pak inaugurates Afghan transit cargo train service |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/world/pak-inaugurates-afghan-transit-cargo-train-service-46307 |access-date=31 May 2023 |newspaper=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |agency=[[Press Trust of India]]}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto"
|- style="text-align:center;"
!
!2011
!2012
!2013
!2014
!2015
!2016
!2017
!2018
!2019
!2020
!2021
!2022
!2023
|-
| Freight carried<br />(million tonnes)<ref>{{cite book |url=https://www.pakrail.gov.pk/images/yearbook/ybbt.pdf |title=Year Book 2015–2016 |publisher=[[Ministry of Railways (Pakistan)|Ministry of Railways]], [[Government of Pakistan]] |year=2016 |access-date=30 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502202606/https://www.pakrail.gov.pk/images/yearbook/ybbt.pdf |archive-date=2 May 2018}}{{page needed|date=May 2023}}</ref>
| align="center" |1.75
| align="center" |0.40
| align="center" |0.42
| align="center" |1.09
| align="center" |3.30
| align="center" |4.77
| align="center" |5.63
|8.40
|8.30
|7.41
|8.20
|8.00
|4.29
|}

=== {{anchor|Accommodation classes}}Travel Classes ===
Pakistan Railways has several classes of travel. Depending on the route, some trains have one class. Fares for the classes vary, with unreserved seating the least expensive. The following table lists the classes and codes:<ref>{{cite web|title=Train Classes|url=https://www.pakrail.gov.pk/TrainClasses.aspx|website=pakrail.gov.pk|publisher=Pakistan Railways|access-date=31 May 2023|archive-date=19 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219133444/https://www.pakrail.gov.pk/TrainClasses.aspx}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="border:1px solid black;"
! style="background:#7FB17F;"| Class
! style="background:#7FB17F;"| Code
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| AC Sleeper || ACSL
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| AC Parlour || PC
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| AC Business || ACLZ
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| AC Standard || ACL
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| First Class Sleeper||ISL
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| Economy Class||EC
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| Second Class||SEC
|}

=== Heritage ===
[[File:KhyberRailway 02.jpg|thumb|alt=Train against mountains and a blue sky|Khyber train safari at Shahgai station]]
In [[Ghangha Pur]], a {{RailGauge|2ft|lk=on}} [[Narrow-gauge railway|narrow-gauge]] [[Horsecar|horse-drawn tramway]] is operational.<ref>{{cite web |date=24 January 2017 |title=Trams of the World 2017 |url=http://blickpunktstrab.net/wordpress2/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/tramsderwelt2017.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216202427/http://blickpunktstrab.net/wordpress2/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/tramsderwelt2017.pdf |archive-date=16 February 2017 |access-date=16 February 2017 |publisher=Blickpunkt Straßenbahn}}</ref> It was first opened in 1898, closed in 1998, and re-opened in 2010. and soon abandoned again.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mughal |first=Owais |date=9 March 2010 |title=''Ghora Tram'': Historic Horse Tram Returns to Gangapur |url=https://pakistaniat.com/2010/03/09/horse-tram-gangapur/ |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=Pakistaniat}}</ref>

The [[Khyber train safari]] is a defunct steam operated train between Peshawar and Attock Khurd. It was first opened in 1925, suspended in 1982, reopened in 1996 as Khyber steam safari, suspended again in 2006 and finally reopened in 2015 with present name and soon abandoned again.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will run a safari train from Peshawar to Attock |url=http://pakhtunkhwa.pk/content/tourism-corporation-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-will-run-safari-train-peshawar-attock |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930054220/http://pakhtunkhwa.pk/content/tourism-corporation-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-will-run-safari-train-peshawar-attock |archive-date=30 September 2017 |access-date=30 June 2020 |website=Pakhtunkhwa.pk}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=3 December 2012 |title=Another direction: Khyber Steam Safari train resumes its magic after 2007 |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/474318/another-direction-khyber-steam-safari-train-resumes-its-magic-after-2007/ |access-date=31 May 2023 |newspaper=The Express Tribune newspaper}}</ref> A documentary film of the railway featuring its steam locomotives was made by Nick Lera in 1997 with the title [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYvmIRRQupw Pakistan - Rails to the North West Frontier.]

=={{anchor|Events}}Accidents and incidents==
Train accidents are common in Pakistan.<ref>{{cite news|date=7 June 2021|title=A timeline of major train accidents in the past two decades|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1628055/a-timeline-of-major-train-accidents-in-the-past-two-decades|newspaper=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>

*''[[Sukkur rail disaster]]'': Occurred on 4 January 1990 in the village of Sangi, near [[Sukkur]] in [[Sindh]] province. In Pakistan's worst rail disaster, 307 people were killed.<ref>{{cite news|date=2 August 1999|title=Chronology of world train disasters|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/aug/02/3|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref> The ''[[Bahauddin Zakaria Express]]'', on an {{convert|500|mi|km|adj=on|order=flip|sigfig=1}} overnight run from [[Multan]] to [[Karachi]], carried many more passengers in its 16 carriages than its 1,408-seat capacity. The train was supposed to pass through the village of Sangi, but incorrectly-set [[Railroad switch|points]] sent it into a [[Siding (rail)|siding]] and it struck an empty 67-car freight train at a speed of at least {{cvt|35|mph|km/h|order=flip}}.
* ''[[2005 Ghotki rail crash]]'': In PR's worst accident in recent years, three passenger trains collided on 13 July 2005. Thirteen carriages derailed, and over 120 people were killed. The ''[[Karachi Express]]'' struck the rear of the ''[[Quetta Express]]'' while it was stopped at a station near [[Ghotki]], and the ''[[Tezgam]]'' (travelling in the opposite direction) struck several of the derailed carriages. According to officials, the conductor of the ''Karachi Express'' misread a signal.<ref>{{cite news|date=13 July 2005|title=World's worst rail disasters|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3650835.stm|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=12 August 2007}}</ref>
{{Wikinews|Train crash in southern Pakistan kills more than a hundred}}
* ''Super Parcel Express derailment'': On 21 August 2005, the upcountry ''Super Parcels Express'' derailed while crossing the Malir Bridge near Landhi in [[Karachi Division]]. Eight [[bogie]]s were seriously damaged when an axle broke due to overloading, and rail traffic was suspended for 24 hours; all trains were terminated and turned around at [[Landhi]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}
* ''[[Mehrabpur derailment]]'': The ''[[Karachi Express]]'', from Karachi to [[Lahore]], derailed near the town of [[Mehrabpur]] in Sindh on 19 December 2007. At about 2:25&nbsp;a.m. local time, fourteen of the train's sixteen carriages left the tracks; some were mangled by the crash, and others slid down an embankment into water. Sabotage and terrorism were ruled out as reasons for the derailment, with officials blaming faulty track.<ref>{{cite news|last=Aziz|first=Abdul|date=21 December 2007|title=Sabotage unlikely in train crash|url=http://www.dawn.com/2007/12/21/top2.htm|newspaper=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>
* ''2011 Bolan Mail bombing'': On 29 July 2011, five bogies of the ''[[Bolan Mail]]'' coming from Karachi to Quetta were derailed and 300 feet of track damaged as a result of an explosion near the Marri Farm in [[Dera Allah Yar]]. The [[Baloch Republican Army]] took responsibility for the attack.<ref>{{cite news|date=29 July 2011|title=Bolan Mail derails as railway track attacked|url=https://www.samaaenglish.tv/news/393236/archives-bolan-mail-derails-as-railway-track-attacked|work=[[Samaa TV]]|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Balochistan Timeline - 2011|url=https://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/pakistan/states/balochistan/timeline/2011.htm|website=South Asia Terrorism Portal|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>
* ''2012 Bolan Mail collision'': On 16 November 2012, the driver of ''Bolan Mail'' was injured when the train accidentally collided with another engine near Kotri Railway Station. ''Bolan Mail'' had a clear signal to proceed, but it struck a halted engine on the same track.<ref>{{cite news|date=16 November 2012|title=Bolan Mail runs into another engine near Kotri station|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/82408-bolan-mail-runs-into-another-engine-near-kotri-station|work=[[Geo News]]|agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>
* ''2015 Bolan Mail derailment'': On 17 June 2015, several passengers were injured when five cars of the Quetta-bound ''Bolan Mail'' derailed near Madeji. Cracks in the Dadu Canal dyke had made a hole beneath the track, which resulted in the accident.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}
* ''[[2015 Gujranwala derailment]]'': On 2 July 2015, three carriages of a special train fell into a canal and another derailed near [[Gujranwala]]. Nineteen people were killed.
* ''[[Aab-e-Gum derailment]]'': On 17 November 2015, the ''[[Jaffar Express]]'' derailed at {{rws|Aab-e-Gum}} in [[Balochistan]]. Twenty people were killed. 
* ''[[Karachi rail crash]]'': The ''[[Bahauddin Zakaria Express]]'' collided with the ''[[Fareed Express]]'' (parked at [[Landhi railway station]]) on 3 November 2016, killing 21 people.
* ''2017 Mehr Express derailment'': On 23 December 2017, a Multan-bound ''[[Mehr Express]]'' collided with a trailer truck carrying sugarcane produce. At least four people were injured.<ref>{{cite news|date=23 December 2017|title=Bhakkar railway collision leaves four injured, trains delayed|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/173524-four-injured-as-train-freight-truck-collide-in-bhakkar|work=[[Geo News]]|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>
* On 17 September 2018, a distressing incident occurred when the Peshawar-bound ''Khushhal Khan Khattak Express'' derailed in a hilly area between the [[Massan railway station]] and Sawan Bridge, approximately 45&nbsp;km (27.3&nbsp;mi) from the location. Seven coaches along with the locomotive were involved in the derailment, resulting in injuries to twenty-one passengers. Rescue 1122 reported that one of the injured passengers was admitted to the Kalabagh tehsil headquarters hospital in critical condition. According to a railways press release, twenty passengers sustained injuries, with four of them being admitted to the Mianwali DHQ hospital for treatment.<ref>{{cite news |last=Khan |first=Khurshid Anwar |date=17 September 2018 |title=21 injured as train derails near Mianwali |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1433435 |access-date=31 May 2023 |newspaper=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]}}</ref>
* On 17 March 2019, a tragic incident occurred near Nasirabad when the railway track was deliberately blown up, causing five carriages of the Jaffar Express to derail. This resulted in the loss of at least five lives, with eight individuals sustaining injuries. The Jaffar Express was en route to Quetta at the time of the incident. Following the derailment, rescue teams promptly arrived at the scene to assist the victims and transport them to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. The explosion not only caused damage to the railway track but also disrupted the movement of other trains in the area.<ref>{{cite news|date=17 March 2019|title=Nasirabad: Jaffar Express struck by explosion, at least four killed|url=https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/482756-Nasirabad-Jaffar-Express-struck-by-explosion-at-least-two-killed|work=[[Dunya News]]|access-date=31 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208224104/https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/482756-Nasirabad-Jaffar-Express-struck-by-explosion-at-least-two-killed|archive-date=8 February 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
*''[[Sadiqabad railway accident]]'': On 11 July 2019, the ''[[Akbar Express]]'' hit a parked cargo train at [[Walhar railway station]], resulting in the death of 21 people and 100 injuries. Minister for Railways [[Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad]] also expressed grief over the loss of precious lives caused by the accident. He announced compensation of Rs2 million for the families of the deceased and Rs1.5 million each for the injured.
*''[[2019 Tezgam train fire]]'': On 31 October 2019, at least 75 people died after a fire broke out in the ''Tezgam Express''—travelling from Karachi to Rawalpindi—after a gas canister reportedly exploded on board as the train was passing through [[Rahim Yar Khan]]. The fire started after passengers started cooking on the train, and the resulting inferno destroyed three economy-class carriages of the train. A witness claimed that the fire could not be attributed to the gas cylinder blast since all the cylinders were emptied at the station. Many of the victims died when they jumped from the moving train to escape the inferno.
*''2020 Sheikhupura level crossing accident'': On 3 July 2020, at least 20 people died and ten others were injured mostly members of the [[Sikhism in Pakistan|Pakistani Sikh community]] in the ''[[Night Coach Express|Shah Hussain Express]]'' collided with a bus near [[Sachcha Sauda railway station]] in [[Sheikhupura District]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Ahmad|first=Imtiaz |date=3 July 2020|editor-last=Rai|editor-first=Arpan|title=20 people, mostly Sikh pilgrims, feared dead as train rams bus in Pakistan's Sheikhupura|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/sikh-pilgrims-among-19-feared-killed-in-bus-train-accident-in-pakistan-s-sheikupura/story-f5Cq6RBrV0NuGL7Nn7cO8M.html|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>
*''[[2021 Ghotki rail crash]]'': On 7 June 2021, at least 62 people died and 200 others were injured so far in a collision between the ''[[Millat Express]]'' and the ''Sir Syed Express''.<ref>{{cite news|date=8 June 2021|title=Ghotki train crash resulted from broken joint of track: report|url=https://www.samaa.tv/news/2021/06/ghotki-train-crash-resulted-from-broken-joint-of-track-report/|work=Samaa TV|access-date=2021-06-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608081923/https://www.samaa.tv/news/2021/06/ghotki-train-crash-resulted-from-broken-joint-of-track-report/|archive-date=8 June 2021}}</ref>
*The 2022 Jaffar Express bombing occurred on 19 January 2022, when a bomb blast derailed four carriages of the Jaffar Express train traveling from Quetta to Rawalpindi. Six passengers were injured in the powerful explosion, according to Pakistan Railways officials.<ref>{{cite news|last=Shahid|first=Saleem|date=19 January 2022|title=Six passengers injured as bomb blast derails Jaffar Express|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1670241|newspaper=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>
*On 25 April 2022, a collision between the Bolan Mail and a goods train in Balochistan resulted in four injuries. The incident occurred in the Peeru Kunri Post area of Kachhi. The Bolan Mail, en route from Karachi to Quetta, collided with the goods train, causing three carriages of the train to derail from the track. Injured passengers were promptly transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment, as reported by Levies sources.<ref>{{cite news|last=Shah|first=Syed Ali|date=25 April 2022|title=Four injured as Bolan Mail collides with goods train in Balochistan|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2354170/four-injured-as-bolan-mail-collides-with-goods-train-in-balochistan|newspaper=[[The Express Tribune]]|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>
*''[[2023 Hazara Express derailment]]'': At least 30 were killed and over 80 injured after as many as 10 bogies of Havelian-bound ''[[Hazara Express]]'' derailed Sunday near Sahara Railway Station in [[Sindh|Sindh's]] [[Nawabshah]] district, 275 kilometres (170.8 miles) away from Karachi. The reason behind the derailment as cited by the Railway Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique was strained wooden sleepers.
*''[[2025 Jaffar Express hijacking|2025 Jaffar Express Hijacking]]'': 31 people were killed after [[Balochistan Liberation Army]] insurgents hijacked a [[Jaffar Express]] train bound for [[Peshawar]]. The hijackers had blown up the tracks so that the train would stop, then boarded the train, killed 21 people.<ref name=":Dawn Update">{{Cite news |date=March 14, 2025 |title=Will take on terrorists, enablers both inside and outside Pakistan: DG ISPR |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1897846 |access-date=March 14, 2025 |work=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] |language=en}}</ref>

==Future==
==={{anchor|New rail lines}}New lines===
New rail lines have been proposed by Pakistan Railways to connect [[Gwadar Port]] to Central Asia, including:
* Karachi–Gwadar Railway Line (Makran Railway)
* [[Gwadar–Mastung Branch Line]]
* Basima–Jacobabad Branch Line
* Bostan–Zhob–Dera Ismail Khan Branch Line
* [[Islamabad–Muzaffarabad Branch Line]]
* Jhang Sadar–Risalewala Branch Line{{Citation needed|date=January 2018}}

===Breaks of gauge===
*In Pakistan: {{RailGauge|1676mm|allk=on}}–{{RailGauge|sg}} at [[Gwadar Port]]
*Outside Pakistan: {{RailGauge|1676mm|allk=on}}–{{RailGauge|1520mm|lk=on}} at [[Mazar-i-Sharif]], [[Afghanistan]] and {{RailGauge|1676mm|allk=on}}–{{RailGauge|sg}} at [[Kashgar]], [[China]]

==={{anchor|Track doubling project}}Track-doubling project===
Over {{convert|1409|km}} of tracks have been doubled since the track-doubling project began in the 1990s. Sections of the [[Karachi–Peshawar Line]] were first doubled, since it was the country's busiest and longest line.

===={{anchor|Karachi–Peshawar Railway Line}}Karachi–Peshawar Line====
*[[Kiamari railway station|Kiamari]]–[[Shahdara Bagh Junction railway station|Shahdara Bagh Junction]]: {{convert|1275|km}}
*[[Chaklala railway station|Chaklala]]–[[Golra Sharif Junction railway station|Golra Sharif Junction]]: {{convert|20|km}}

===={{anchor|Rohri–Chaman Railway Line}}Rohri–Chaman Line====
*[[Aab-e-Gum railway station|Aab-e-Gum]]–[[Kolpur railway station|Kolpur]]: {{convert|37|km}}
*[[Gulistan railway station|Gulistan]]–[[Chaman railway station|Chaman]]: {{convert|60|km}}

===={{anchor|Lahore–Wagah Branch Line}}Lahore–Wagah Branch Line====
*[[Lahore Junction railway station|Lahore Junction]]–[[Wagah railway station|Wagah]]: {{convert|23|km}}

===Restructuring===
In March 2010, the Pakistani government announced plans to privatise Pakistan Railways and split it into four businesses focusing on passenger operations, freight, infrastructure and manufacturing.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=20 May 2010|title=Four-way split proposed for Pakistan Railways|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/four-way-split-proposed-for-pakistan-railways.html|magazine=[[Railway Gazette International]]|access-date=20 May 2010|archive-date=14 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614220914/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/four-way-split-proposed-for-pakistan-railways.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In February 2010, "unbundling" was proposed the previous month, with activities being outsourced, privatised, or operated separately. However, complete privatisation has been ruled out.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=26 February 2011|title=Unbundling of Pakistan Railways proposed|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/unbundling-of-pakistan-railways-proposed.html|magazine=[[Railway Gazette International]]|access-date=27 February 2011|archive-date=2 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302101340/http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/unbundling-of-pakistan-railways-proposed.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Public-private partnership===
Pakistan Railways has faced financial and management crisis, and has met with private operators. Several trains are a public-private partnership. The ''[[Pakistan Business Express]]'' train made its first run on 3 February 2012, and the ''Shalimar Express'' resumed operation on 25 February of that year.

In July 2025, Pakistan Railways once again issued tenders to outsource operations of 11 [[passenger train]]s to the private sector, including [[Hazara Express]], [[Millat Express]], and Thal Express. However, this move follows a failed earlier attempt, where only two bids were received—both for a single train, Shalimar Express while the rest saw no interest. The renewed effort highlights the dire financial state of Pakistan Railways and the broader economic crisis, as even private firms remain unwilling to invest in the ailing national transport system.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-21 |title=PR renews bid to outsource 11 trains |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2556978/pr-renews-bid-to-outsource-11-trains |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}</ref>

===China–Pakistan Economic Corridor===
{{main|China–Pakistan Economic Corridor}}
{{Multiple issues|section=yes|{{More citations needed section|date=July 2017}}
{{update section|date=January 2018}}}}
China is involved in the development of Pakistan Railways, and has been increasing its stake in Pakistan's communications sector. Freight and passenger service make up 50 percent of the railway's total revenue. Pakistan Railways carries 65 million passengers annually and operates 228 mail, express and passenger trains daily. It introduced new mail and express trains between major terminals from 2003 to 2005. The railway has entered developmental agreements with Chinese rail companies. In 2001, Pakistan Railways signed a $91.89 million contract with [[China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation]] to manufacture 175 high-speed passenger coaches. The project was funded by [[Exim Bank of China]] on a supplier-credit basis. Forty passenger coaches have been received, and 105 were scheduled to be assembled in Pakistan Railways' carriage factory. The coaches are in use on Pakistan Railways' Rawalpindi–Lahore–Karachi, Lahore–Faisalabad and Rawalpindi–Quetta mail and express trains. The manufacturing kits for the remaining 30 coaches have been received, and 12 are assembled. The technology transfer for the coaches was obtained from China's [[CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles|Changchun Car Company]].

Pakistan Railways purchased 69 locomotives, 15 of which are in use by the railway, as part of a 2003 agreement with China. The remaining 54 are scheduled to be built at Pakistan Railways' locomotive factory. The Chinese locomotives are 37 percent less expensive than European locomotives.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}} Although some Pakistani observers have criticised faulty locomotives purchased by Pakistan Railways from [[Dongfang Electric]] of China, the railway decided to purchase 45 more 2,000–3,000-horsepower locomotives from Dongfang. The company is willing to redesign the 30 delivered locomotives, strengthening their [[underframe]]s and reducing their weight below 140 tons each. The Beijing Research and Design Institute is committed to provide 300 rail cars to Pakistan Railways.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}

According to a 2004 agreement with China National Machinery and Equipment Group, the Chinese company would begin the construction of Corridor 1 of a light-rail mass-transit system in Karachi which is intended to serve four million commuters. The project, costing about $568 million, would take four-and-a-half years to complete. The contract, awarded on a [[build–operate–transfer]] basis, consists of five corridors. Pakistan signed a series of agreements with China to expand the capability of its railway system. Under an agreement with [[China Railway]], a Chinese company would provide 1,300 freight cars to Pakistan Railways; 420 would be manufactured in China, and the remaining 880 would be produced at the Moghalpura Railway Workshops in [[Lahore]]. In another project, 450 passenger coaches would be rehabilitated at an estimated cost of Rs2.14 billion. This would include air-conditioning 40 coaches, converting 10 power vans and providing 100 high-speed bogies; 30 would be imported from China, and 70 would be manufactured domestically on a transfer-of-technology basis. In a separate agreement, 175 new passenger coaches are being purchased from China.

As part of a $100 million agreement signed by Pakistan and China in November 2001, China is to export 69 locomotives to Pakistan to modernise the country's rail fleet. The new engines consume less fuel than older models, and cost less to maintain. The first 15 engines would be manufactured in China, and the remainder would be assembled in Pakistan with Chinese parts and technology. For a Rs7.2 billion project [[Sindh]] laying 78,000 tons of rails, China delivered 64,000 tons to Pakistan Railways. In Pakistan's case, CPEC has continually been discussed ever since its announcement back in 2015, despite the fact that there has not been a major development in years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kugelman |first=Michael |date=2023-02-09 |title=Have China and Pakistan Hit a Roadblock? |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/02/09/china-pakistan-cpec-infrastructure-economy/ |access-date=2023-09-10 |website=Foreign Policy |language=en-US}}</ref>

;Main Railway Line-1 (ML-1)

The ML-1 railway line project is one of the biggest projects not only of CPEC Phase-II ($6.8 billion) but of Pakistan's recent history in terms of logistics and communications. Since the [[partition of India|partition of British India]] into India and Pakistan this is the single biggest expansion of the railway system. It spans a total distance of 1,872&nbsp;km from Karachi to Peshawar. It covers 184 railway stations and carries over 75% of country's cargo and passengers.<ref>{{cite news|date=4 December 2020|title=ML-1 to turn Pakistan into a global business hub|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/753468-ml-1-to-turn-pakistan-into-a-global-business-hub|newspaper=[[The News International]]|agency=Independent News Pakistan|access-date=2021-06-04}}</ref>

This will be a kind of revolution in terms of communications and industry. After being upgraded, the railway line will be installed with a computer-based signaling and control system—reducing the epidemic of railway accidents that has been seen across Pakistan. It follows all the international safety procedures and protocols to ensure safe operations of Pakistan Railway.

'''Main Railway Line-2 (ML-2)'''

The project is expected to cost approximately $3.4 billion, however, this amount may increase as the project progresses. ML-2 connects southern and northern Pakistan.

'''Main Railway Line-3 (ML-3)'''

Projected cost is expected to be in the range of $2–3 billion. ML-3 connects Rohri (Sindh) to Quetta (Balochistan) and is largely focused on enhancing connectivity between the western provinces and the interior regions of Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ijaz |first1=Sidra |title=CPEC and Pakistan Railways Projects: Future Perspective |url=https://hiringexplore.com/cpec-and-pakistan-railways-projects/ |website=Hiring Explore |access-date=9 September 2024}}</ref>

====Khunjareb Railway====
Pakistan awarded a Rs. 72 million (US$1.2 million) contract to an international consortium to conduct a feasibility study for establishing a rail link with [[China]] to improve trade between the countries. The study will cover a {{convert|750|km|adj=on}} section between [[Havelian]] and the {{convert|15520|ft|metre|adj=mid|-high}} [[Khunjerab Pass]] over [[Mansehra District]] and the [[Karakoram Highway]]. Havellian is already linked with the Pakistani rail network; China would lay about {{convert|350|km}} of track in China from [[Kashgar]] to the Khunjerab Pass, linking Pakistan with China's rail network (largely along the Karakoram Highway). By expanding its stake in Pakistan's rail sector, China can utilise the country's advantageous geographic position at the confluence of [[South Asia|South]], [[Central Asia|Central]] and [[West Asia]]. During the first week of February 2007, Pakistan Railways and Dongfang Electric signed an agreement to establish a rail link between Havellian and Khunjerab. The route from Havellian and Khunjerab will probably include tunnels.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fazl-e-Haider|first=Syed|date=24 February 2007|title=China-Pakistan rail link on horizon|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/IB24Df02.html|website=[[Asia Times Online]]|access-date=31 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070226192640/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/IB24Df02.html|archive-date=26 February 2007}}</ref> The pre-feasibility study was completed in July 2011.<ref>{{cite news|date=3 July 2011|title=Pre-feasibility for 411 mile rail link between Pakistan's town of Havelian and Khunjerab completed|url=http://pamirtimes.net/2011/07/03/feasibility-for-411-mile-rail-link-between-pakistan%E2%80%99s-town-of-havelian-and-khunjerab-completed/|newspaper=Pamir Times|agency=[[Associated Press of Pakistan]]|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>

====Gwadar link====
As part of the development plan for its transport and communications network, Pakistan Railways has completed a feasibility study of the Chaman–Kandahar section for laying track between Pakistan and Turkmenistan through Afghanistan. A feasibility study for cost, engineering and design for the construction of a rail link from Gwadar to the existing rail network in [[Mastung, Pakistan|Mastung]] district in [[Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]] has been finalised. The link to the port of [[Gwadar]] will open underdeveloped areas of Balochistan to development. The chief aim of the venture is to connect the Central Asian republics with Pakistan Railways' network through Afghanistan.

China will benefit from Gwadar's accessible international trade routes to the Central Asian republics and China's [[Xinjiang]] border region. By extending its east-west railway from the Chinese border city of [[Kashgar]] to [[Peshawar]] in Pakistan's northwest, Beijing can trade freight to and from Gwadar along the shortest route (from Karachi to Peshawar). Pakistan's rail network could also supply oil from the [[Persian Gulf]] to Xinjiang and give China rail access to Iran.

==See also==
{{Portal|Trains|Pakistan}}
* [[List of railway stations in Pakistan]]
* [[List of named passenger trains of Pakistan]]
* [[Abandoned and dismantled railway lines in Pakistan]]
* [[Karachi Circular Railway]]
* [[Transport in Pakistan]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{colbegin}}
* {{Official website|https://www.pakrail.gov.pk/}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201190757/https://www.pakrail.gov.pk/ |date=1 February 2021}}

{{colend}}

{{Pakistan Railways}}
{{Ministry of Railways (Pakistan)}}
{{Pakistan topics|economy}}
{{Asia in topic|Rail transport in}}

{{authority control}}

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[[Category:Government-owned companies of Pakistan]]
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[[Category:Pakistani brands]]
[[Category:Pakistani companies established in 1947]]
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