Karachi: Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday agreed to accelerate the expansion and modernization of railway services in Sindh, with a particular focus on restoring suspended train operations, upgrading branch routes with Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs), converting 100 unmanned level crossings into manned crossings, expediting infrastructure projects awaiting railway approvals, and protecting Pakistan Railways land from encroachments.
During a meeting at the CM House on Thursday, the Chief Minister urged the Federal Minister to immediately restore the Mohen Jo Daro Express, saying its suspension had caused difficulties for people in the area. M Hanif Abbasi assured him that the service would be resumed by September.
‘People in the area are facing serious difficulties because of the suspension of the Mohen Jo Daro Express. I request the Federal Minister to restore the service at the earliest,’ the Chief Minister said.
The Federal Minister assured the Chief Minister that Pakistan Railways would resume the train service next month.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Sindh Asif Hyder Shah, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Secretary to the Chief Minister Asif Jameel, Secretary Home Iqbal Memon and Secretary Works and Services Zulfiqar Nizamani.
The Federal Minister was accompanied by Secretary/Chairman Railways Syed Mazhar Ali Shah, CEO/Sr General Manager Hafeezullah, Additional General Manager Hammad Hassan Mirza, Divisional Superintendent Karachi Jamshed Alam and other senior officials.
The Chief Minister and Federal Minister discussed the Rehabilitation/Upgradation of 100 Unmanned Level Crossings into Manned Level Crossings, aimed at reducing the risk of accidents and improving safety for motorists, pedestrians and railway passengers across Sindh.
The scheme has an estimated cost of Rs 5.913 billion and is planned for implementation during FY 2026-27 and 2027-28.
CM Murad said railway safety should be treated as a priority and called for close coordination between the provincial government and Pakistan Railways to ensure that the proposed safety improvements were implemented without unnecessary delay.
‘The safety of people using railway crossings is a shared responsibility. We are ready to provide every possible support from the provincial side to make these crossings safer,’ he said.
Federal Minister Hanif Abbasi assured the Chief Minister that the Ministry of Railways would extend full cooperation in implementing the safety initiative.
A detailed review was also held of several Sindh government road projects involving railway infrastructure that are awaiting No Objection Certificates (NOCs), approvals or railway shutdown schedules.
The schemes include the 9.66-kilometre Tando Jam Bypass Road along the Hyderabad-Mirpurkhas Road, involving two overhead bridges; construction of bridges on the Northern Bypass Road in Tando Allahyar; dualisation of the 31.40-kilometre Tando Allahyar-Tando Adam Road; widening of two railway underpasses in Larkana; and construction of an overhead pre-stressed bridge at Gaddani Phatak in Sukkur.
The Chief Minister pointed out that the delay in railway-related approvals was affecting the pace of important public infrastructure projects. He requested the Federal Minister to expedite all pending NOCs so that the provincial development schemes could move forward.
Federal Minister Hanif Abbasi assured the Chief Minister that all NOCs pending with the Ministry of Railways would be issued shortly, enabling the Sindh government to proceed with the relevant development works.
‘We will facilitate Sindh in every possible way. All pending NOCs with the Ministry of Railways will be issued shortly so that these important development projects do not face further delays,’ M. Hanif Abbasi said.
The Chief Minister assured the Federal Minister of the Sindh government’s full support in anti-encroachment operations aimed at retrieving Pakistan Railways land.
He said provincial institutions would cooperate with Pakistan Railways in identifying and removing encroachments and protecting railway property.
‘Railway land is a national asset and must be protected. The Sindh government will extend all necessary administrative and law-enforcement support to Pakistan Railways for the retrieval and protection of its land,’ CM Murad said.
The Federal Minister appreciated the Sindh government’s cooperation and said Pakistan Railways would work closely with provincial authorities to protect its land and improve the utilisation of railway property.
The meeting also discussed the upgradation of branch railway routes in Sindh through the introduction of Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) and increased investment in railway infrastructure.
The Chief Minister proposed adopting a model similar to initiatives undertaken by the Punjab government to improve railway connectivity and passenger services. ‘People in different parts of Sindh need reliable, affordable and efficient public transport. Upgrading branch routes with DMUs can provide an effective solution and connect smaller towns with major urban centres,’ CM Murad said.
He said the Sindh government was prepared to work with the federal government and Pakistan Railways to identify viable routes and facilitate improvements in infrastructure.
The Federal Minister assured the Chief Minister that Pakistan Railways would examine the proposed branch routes and work with the Sindh government on feasible options for introducing improved services.
The Chief Minister stressed the importance of improving passenger facilities at major railway stations, particularly Rohri, which is a strategically important railway junction connecting several parts of the country.
The Federal Minister assured the Chief Minister that the upgradation of Rohri Railway Station would be completed by December.
‘We want to provide passengers with better facilities at major railway stations, and Rohri deserves special attention because of its importance as a major railway junction,’ the Chief Minister said.
The Federal Minister said the Ministry of Railways would ensure that the ongoing upgradation work at Rohri was completed within the committed timeline.
The meeting also discussed the development of greenbelts and linear plantations along the railway tracks between Karachi Cantt and Jumma Goth.
The Chief Minister said the initiative would not only improve the environment but also contribute to the beautification of the railway corridor.
He directed the relevant provincial authorities to coordinate with Pakistan Railways on the plantation initiative and ensure that the proposed greenbelts were properly maintained.
The Chief Minister emphasised the need for continued coordination between Sindh and the federal government to accelerate railway-related development projects.
‘We want to work with the Federal Ministry of Railways in a spirit of cooperation. Our objective is to improve railway services, make crossings safer, protect railway land and ensure that development projects involving railway infrastructure are completed on time,’ he said.
Federal Minister M. Hanif Abbasi reaffirmed the Ministry of Railways’ commitment to supporting Sindh and resolving outstanding issues. ‘We are committed to working closely with the Sindh government. We will facilitate the province in its development projects, improve railway services and address the issues pending with Pakistan Railways on a priority basis,’ he added.
Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination to improve railway connectivity, enhance passenger facilities, strengthen safety arrangements, protect railway land and expedite infrastructure development across Sindh.
