Islamabad: Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi announced that the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) freight train service is set to resume by the end of this year. He made this announcement while addressing a ceremony in Islamabad that marked the completion of the renovation and upgradation of the Golra Railway Station.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Minister emphasized that regional connectivity is a top priority in the efforts to upgrade and modernize the railways. An agreement has been reached for rail connectivity between Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Furthermore, the Asian Development Bank is set to upgrade the Karachi to Rohri railway track with an investment of 2 billion dollars.

Hanif Abbasi also mentioned the upgradation of the Nokundi to Rohri track, which will aid in the transportation of minerals to ports. He highlighted major reforms in the railway sector, including digitalization efforts aligned with the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Initiatives such as Safe and Smart stations, Cashless Tickets, and Free Wi-Fi have been launched in collaboration with the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) and the Pakistan Information Technology Board.

The Minister noted that the introduction of the Freight Online System, Rabta App, and 117 Call Centers has enhanced passenger convenience. He expressed optimism that Pakistan Railways will soon be counted among the modern railway networks globally.