Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi on Friday agreed to strengthen cooperation between the provincial government and Pakistan Railways for a range of initiatives, including the revival of the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR), upgrading the Karachi–Rohri passenger line, and outsourcing key railway services.
The meeting, held at the CM House, was attended by senior provincial ministers, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, and top officials from both the Sindh government and Pakistan Railways.
Shah stressed the urgency of reviving the long-delayed KCR, describing it as essential for Karachi’s mobility. The proposed 43-kilometre route, featuring 24 stations, is expected to serve around 650,000 passengers daily and provide critical east–west and north–south connectivity across the city.
The CM noted that the revised feasibility study, prepared with the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), estimated the cost at $2 billion but still awaited approval from Chinese authorities. He called for a collaborative model involving the federal and provincial governments, donor agencies, and the private sector.
Officials briefed the meeting that more than 11 acres of railway land had been cleared in anti-encroachment operations near Drigh Road, Karachi University, Urdu College, and Gillani Station, though challenges remain in areas like Liaquatabad and Urdu College. Shah assured federal authorities of Sindh’s full support for clearing encroachments and urban rehabilitation along the route.
The session also discussed upgrades to the 480-kilometre Karachi–Sukkur railway line. Abbasi announced that Rs6 billion had been allocated for introducing an air-conditioned passenger service between Karachi and Rohri. The CM pledged provincial co-investment, noting that the service would bring “immense relief to commuters.”
Both sides agreed to outsource certain operations for improved efficiency and transparency. Plans include handing over cleaning and waste management at Karachi Cantonment and City stations to the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board, along with the possible outsourcing of Cantt Station washing lines. The Sindh government also committed to supporting the beautification and upgrade of major railway stations.
Concluding the meeting, Abbasi assured full federal backing for the proposed projects. “Railways are the backbone of any national economy,” Shah remarked, adding that the revival of KCR and improvements to intercity services would not only ease travel but also help Pakistan Railways move towards financial sustainability.
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