ISLAMABAD: “The Pakistan Railways (PR) is set to achieve a revenue target of Rs 100 billion in the financial year 2025–26, compared with Rs 93 billion generated in 2024–25.” This was stated by the Federal Minister for Railways, Mohammad Hanif Abbasi, during a meeting of the PR. In 2024-25, the Railways generated Rs 93 billion in revenue, of which passenger train operations contributed Rs 47 billion, while freight services generated Rs 31 billion, he said. Military traffic added another Rs 1.5 billion to the total, and Rs 3 billion came from other coaching services. An additional Rs 9.5 billion was earned through miscellaneous sources. Last year, Karachi division emerged as the top performer in both the passenger and freight sectors, as Karachi Division led passenger revenue with Rs 14.75 billion, followed by Lahore division with Rs 11.25 billion. In freight operations, Karachi again remained the top performer with Rs28 billion, while Multan secured second place with Rs 1 billion. Despite several days of strike, the freight sector continued to perform strongly, earning more than Rs 3 billion in revenue during November and December, reflecting the organisation’s robust strategy and operational stability. Abbasi lauded the performance of the management and stated that if the current momentum continues, freight revenue is expected to exceed Rs 38 billion by the end of the financial year. He further expressed confidence that Pakistan Railways will become the first national institution to achieve Rs 100 billion in revenue in 2026, marking a historic milestone. The PR is likely to generate Rs 50 billion in the first half of July-December, Hanif Abbasi said while crediting this growth to reforms in safety, service quality, digitisation, and asset management. The organisation has shown a sharp financial turnaround after years of stress. Safety upgrades, including the creation of a full-fledged safety directorate, have reduced accident rates from 0.09 percent to 0.04 percent. Major stations such as Rawalpindi have been converted into smart stations with advanced security, while train rakes and passenger services have been upgraded to enhance comfort and restore public trust. Digitisation efforts, recovery of 394 acres of railway land, and outsourcing of cleaning and train services have boosted efficiency and discipline. The minister talking about the first six months of the ongoing financial year said that Pakistan Railways has demonstrated outstanding performance in the freight sector as the entity has generated a record revenue of over Rs 17 billion in just six months. The minister announced that all trains will be upgraded in phases by the end of 2026 to provide passengers with a safer, more comfortable, and modern travel experience. He added that the installation of CCTV cameras in trains will be completed next year, alongside the full digitalisation of Pakistan Railways. Speaking about Railway Police reforms, the minister said the force has been trained on modern lines, significantly enhancing passenger security and confidence. He remarked that the current Pakistan Railways Police is the best force in the institution’s 78-year history. He highlighted that transparent recruitment of competent individuals, effective action against ticketless travel and smuggling, and strong measures to curb theft have substantially improved overall performance. Reaffirming his commitment, the Federal Minister stated that reforms will continue at full pace to transform Pakistan Railways into a financially strong, passenger-friendly, secure, and modern organisation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026