Pakistan Railways Teams Up with China for Fleet Enhancement

Islamabad: With China's cooperation, Pakistan Railways will integrate 820 new wagons into its system by the end of the fiscal year 2025-26.

“This cooperation reflects Pakistan Railways’ dedication to modernization and efficiency, setting a new standard in the country’s transportation sector,” Xinhua reported, quoting a statement from Pakistan Railways.

Last week, Pakistan Railways inducted 40 high-quality freight wagons, locally manufactured through technology transfer from China.

The "modern wagons" were inaugurated at a railway station in Lahore by Chief Executive Officer Aamir Ali Baloch, who highlighted that local production is a crucial step toward reducing dependency on imports and conserving foreign exchange.

“The new design allows freight trains to transport containers efficiently, enhancing their versatility,” he said. “Previously, the low speed of freight trains caused considerable delays in commercial goods transportation. The inclusion of these new wagons will increase the speed of freight trains to 100 kilometres per hour.”

“This advancement will not only expedite freight services but also contribute significantly to the economy,” he added. The locally manufactured wagons are expected to boost Pakistan Railways’ freight revenue by over Rs9 billion (about $32 million) annually, providing much-needed financial stability to the institution.