Pakistan Railways has set a target of operating 14 freight trains by January 2027, alongside a package of safety and management measures aimed at lifting revenue and improving the reliability of the national carrier.

The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi at the Railways Headquarters. Officials said the target responds to rising demand from the business community for rail cargo services, as the department looks to expand freight operations and strengthen its financial position.

Dry port approved in Khanewal

During the same meeting, officials approved the establishment of a dry port in Khanewal. The facility is expected to strengthen freight operations in the region and open an additional stream of revenue for Pakistan Railways.

The plan fits into a wider push to expand commercial activity on the rail network, which has historically relied heavily on passenger services. Freight expansion is seen by officials as central to improving the railway's commercial viability, because cargo traffic can use capacity that passenger trains leave idle and brings in steady income from businesses moving goods across the country.

Safety measures after mechanical faults

On the safety front, the meeting decided to seek an investigation by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) into train examiners in connection with accidents attributed to mechanical faults. Train examiners are responsible for checking rolling stock before it runs, and the inquiry is intended to establish whether inspection failures contributed to accidents.

Pakistan Railways will also install five additional weighbridges across the country by 31 December to prevent overloading, a persistent problem that damages track and rolling stock and raises the risk of derailment. Overloaded wagons put extra strain on rails, bridges and wheels, so weighing freight before departure is one of the simplest ways to protect the network.

Management changes

The minister directed that operational meetings be held at the divisional level rather than at the Railways Headquarters, with the aim of improving efficiency and accountability in day-to-day performance. The change is meant to push decisions closer to the depots, stations and workshops where the work actually happens.

Further decisions included phasing out DVM and DVS coaches from the railway system and running sleeper factories in double shifts to raise production. Together, the measures signal a push to modernise operations and address both revenue growth and service reliability at the same time.

Pakistan Railways remains a key part of the country's transport infrastructure, carrying passengers and goods between major cities and ports. The coming months will show whether the new freight target, the Khanewal dry port and the safety steps translate into measurable gains, with the January deadline for 14 freight trains the first test of the plan.