Government Approves Modern Transport Initiative
The federal government has announced plans to launch a high-speed rail link between Islamabad and Rawalpindi, cutting travel time between the twin cities to just 20 minutes. The project was approved during a high-level meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi on Monday.
The session was also attended by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, senior officials from the Ministry of Railways, the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Islamabad Police, Frontier Corps, and local administration.
A Step Toward Modern, Comfortable Travel
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the project reflects Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of modernising public transport and easing daily commutes. “Thousands of citizens will benefit from a comfortable, affordable, and high-quality travel experience,” he stated.
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi described the plan as a “milestone for public welfare,” promising that the new service will ease road congestion and save fuel.
Project Details and Framework
The rail service will connect Islamabad’s Margalla Station to Rawalpindi’s Saddar Station. Officials said Pakistan Railways will be responsible for building track infrastructure, while the CDA will manage the operation of the service.
Minister of State Talal Chaudhry called the initiative a low-cost, high-speed alternative that will significantly reduce traffic pressure on roads linking the two cities.
Although the framework agreement has not yet been finalised, it is expected to be signed next week. The government has also decided to import state-of-the-art trains to ensure modern, comfortable, and efficient operations.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
Officials believe the high-speed rail project will not only transform daily commuting but also encourage economic activity, reduce fuel consumption, and contribute to environmental sustainability by lowering emissions from road traffic.
