Havelian: For more than a century, Havelian Railway Station, Abbotabad, has been Pakistan’s northern rail gateway, linking millions of passengers, tourists and traders from Hazara with the rest of the country. Today, the historic terminal is struggling with aging infrastructure, limited passenger services and the absence of freight trains despite rapid population growth and expanding business activity across the region.
Despite its strategic importance, the station struggles with aging infrastructure and limited rail services. While Havelian generates an estimated Rs 800 million to Rs 1 billion in monthly revenue for Pakistan Railways, passengers and businesses continue to face hardships.
Local industries face similar challenges. Trade Union President Khurshid Azam and mining trader Muhammad Aslam talking to reporter said Hazara Division has abundant reserves of minerals, marble, granite and industrial stone supplied to markets across Pakistan. However, the lack of dedicated freight trains has forced businesses to depend on costly road transport, raising freight expenses and reducing competitiveness.
Business leaders said Havelian’s location makes it an ideal logistics hub for northern Pakistan. They urged Pakistan Railways to introduce regular freight trains to major industrial centres, saying the move would reduce transport costs, facilitate exports, attract investment and create jobs. They added that expanded freight services would also support the region’s growing agricultural, manufacturing and construction sectors.
The daily struggle is evident as scores of passengers use the station each day. An Assistant Station Master, requesting anonymity, talking to reporter said the station serves only two passenger services: the local train to Rawalpindi, arriving at 11: 00 a.m., and the Hazara Express from Karachi, which reaches Havelian at 7: 00 p.m. The rail corridor connects northern Pakistan with Taxila, Jhelum, Sargodha, Multan and Hyderabad.
Shamaem Bhatti, a student at the Institute of Arts and Culture Lahore who regularly travels from Abbotabad to Lahore and vice versa, told reporter that he now prefers buses over trains. Bhatti further said the lack of a direct Lahore-Havelian train makes rail travel inconvenient, forcing passengers to change trains during the journey. He added that despite the higher cost of bus travel, he prefers paying more to avoid a hectic, uncomfortable and time-consuming train journey.
Travelling from Havelian has become difficult due to the poor condition of the century-old track beyond Haripur, forcing trains to run at low speeds. Commuters Ikram and Muhammad Yousaf said journeys of a few hours often stretch into day-long trips and urged authorities to rehabilitate the track.
Residents said demand for more trains has risen with Hazara Division’s growing population and economy. Rapid urban growth in Abbottabad, Haripur and Mansehra, along with the expansion of surrounding areas has increased daily travel. The growth of universities, industries, tourism and businesses has further added to mobility needs, making existing rail services insufficient. They said additional trains would provide relief.
Basic safety at the station remains a concern. A Security guard at station said personnel maintain round-the-clock vigilance despite the lack of CCTV cameras, a boundary wall and reliable lights. Frequent outages leave platforms in darkness, while railway colony families must cross active tracks due to the absence of a pedestrian bridge, putting children and women at risk.
The unrealised potential of Havelian is reflected in the proposed Havelian Dry Port. Conceived as a flagship CPEC project worth around $65 million, it was planned as an international cargo terminal to handle trade from the Khunjerab Pass through the Karakoram Highway. Although linked with the proposed ML-1 upgrade, residents said construction remains stalled. They also urged the authorities concerned to expedite the project, calling it vital for unlocking northern Pakistan’s trade potential.
Globally, railways have remained a backbone of economic growth by moving passengers and freight efficiently, reducing transport costs and supporting trade and industrial development. Despite having a rail system that is more than a century old, Pakistan has yet to fully utilise its railway potential, particularly for freight movement and regional connectivity. Experts and business communities believe expanding rail services could play a key role in boosting economic activity, easing pressure on roads and strengthening trade links.
Residents said Havelian deserves renewed investment for its economic importance and heritage. Built in 1913 during British rule, the station retains its colonial-era stone architecture and remains one of Pakistan’s most scenic railway stations, serving as the northern rail gateway for generations. They called on Pakistan Railways to modernise the station, upgrade the aging track, expand passenger and freight services, and accelerate the Havelian Dry Port project to improve travel and strengthen trade, tourism and economic growth across Hazara and northern Pakistan.
/778/gar
