Pakistan Railways denies reports of launching bullet train

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Railways firmly denied media reports claiming that Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi had announced the launch of a bullet train service between Karachi and Lahore.

Earlier state-run Radio Pakistan reported that Pakistan Railways unveiled a plan to launch a high-speed bullet train between Lahore and Karachi by 2030, significantly slashing travel time between the two provincial capitals from 20 hours to just five.

However, in an official statement to state-run APP news, the railway ministry termed the reports “completely baseless and misleading,” clarifying that the minister has made no such announcement regarding a high-speed rail project.

A spokesperson for the ministry reiterated that the government’s current focus remains on enhancing existing railway infrastructure and services. The public has been advised to disregard unverified claims and rely solely on official communications issued by the Ministry of Railways.

While rail remains a crucial part of Pakistan’s transport infrastructure, it has long suffered from underinvestment, outdated technology, and frequent delays.

Pakistan Railways currently operates over 7,700 kilometers of track but faces chronic issues due to decades of neglect and mismanagement.