Pakistan Railways plans to return 36 locomotives to service by June 2027

Pakistan Railways plans to put up to 36 locomotives that are now out of service back on the network by June 2027, a Ministry of Railways official told the Associated Press of Pakistan. The department says the work is meant to improve engine availability, keep passenger and freight trains running and raise its own revenue.

The official said the railway holds 439 locomotives, of which 267 are operational and 172 are not. Sixteen are expected to return by February 2027 and 20 more after major overhauls by the end of 2026. An accident-damaged locomotive, numbered 9021, is due back after repairs by June 2027. Taken together, the official's figures come to 37 locomotives against the 36 the plan names.

Any expansion beyond that depends on a pending approval and on the manufacturer. The official said a PC-I for modernising 35 locomotives has gone to the Ministry of Planning and has not been considered. UrduPoint reported the same document was also sent to the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. Pakistan Railways has approached the original equipment manufacturer about restoring a further 69 locomotives.

On-board service has been changed on several routes. Modern dining cars run on Shalimar Express, Pak Business Express and Islamabad Express, and premium dining cars on Khyber Mail, Allama Iqbal Express and Rehman Baba, the official said. High tea, bedding, newspapers, hygiene kits and mineral water are provided on seven premium trains, and train hostesses have been introduced on Islamabad Express. UrduPoint reported the upgraded service also runs on outsourced trains: Green Line, Pak Business, Shah Hussain, Subak Raftar, Subak Kharam, Rawal Express and Islamabad Express.

At stations, escalators have been installed at Karachi and Lahore, and information desks and free Wi-Fi now cover stations handling about 80 percent of passenger traffic. Waiting halls at Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Rawalpindi have been upgraded, and a multi-storey Train Dispatching Building is complete at Lahore Railway Station, where UrduPoint reported a computer-based interlocking system will be installed.

UrduPoint also reported modern lounges operating at Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi stations, renovation completed at Peshawar Cantt station, and plans for tuck shops and for outsourcing train rake washing.

Ticket vending machines, electronic information boards, wheelchairs and ramps for elderly and disabled passengers are in place, the official said, along with concessional fares for students, senior citizens, journalists and persons with disabilities. Pakistan Railways has signed cleanliness agreements with provincial waste management companies in major cities covering platforms, washrooms and the surrounding areas.