Lahore: Pakistan Railways has announced plans for a high-speed bullet train linking Karachi and Lahore, promising to cut the journey from nearly 20 hours to just five.
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi said the 1,215-kilometre line is part of the $6.8 billion ML-1 upgrade under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Backed by Chinese expertise through the China Railway Construction Corporation, the service will run at speeds of up to 250 km/h with major stops in Hyderabad, Multan, and Sahiwal.
The project will feature double tracks, rebuilt bridges, and advanced signalling systems. Officials expect it to raise Pakistan’s rail freight share from 4% to 20% by 2030, easing pressure on road transport and saving billions in fuel imports. Abbasi called the initiative a “visionary step” to boost connectivity, economic growth, and job creation.
The bullet train announcement comes as Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has already approved a separate Lahore–Rawalpindi high-speed link, with a promised travel time of 2.5 hours. Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank is preparing to finance a $2 billion upgrade of the Karachi–Rohri corridor to support cargo movement from the Reko Diq mine.
Alongside these projects, Pakistan Railways has rolled out a nationwide digitisation programme, including computerised interlocking at junctions, a digital microwave radio system on the Karachi–Lahore route, and Push-to-Talk digital networks to improve safety and coordination.
Officials say the combined initiatives mark the start of a new era for Pakistan’s railways, reshaping travel and trade while placing the country on track for modern high-speed infrastructure.
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