KARACHI: Karachi Cantt Station, one of Pakistan’s busiest railway hubs, has received a major facelift aimed at enhancing passenger comfort and convenience. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the upgraded facilities on Monday, marking a significant milestone in the country’s railway modernisation drive.
The revamped station now features two new CIP lounges and three spacious waiting halls, along with executive-level washrooms. Four newly installed escalators have been added to assist families, elderly passengers, and those carrying heavy luggage. CIP lounge access is available at Rs300 per passenger for up to three hours, offering tea, snacks, and other refreshments.
To improve passenger experience, information desks have been redesigned, and a new digital complaint system allows travelers to file complaints via QR code, sending reports directly to the Railways Ministry for faster resolution. Cleanliness has also been prioritised, with Pakistan Railways partnering with the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board to maintain the station and surrounding tracks round the clock. Standardised stalls and a modern announcement system aim to streamline passenger flow and reduce confusion.
The Shalimar Express, a key train connecting Karachi and Lahore, has been refurbished with a live kitchen, free Wi-Fi, and a new dining car offering freshly prepared meals. Trained staff are now available to assist passengers throughout the journey.
PM Shehbaz lauded Pakistan Railways for modernising the country’s transport network and highlighted the success of federal-provincial collaboration with Sindh. He emphasised plans to replicate this model in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and noted regional opportunities, including Central Asia rail connectivity and the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul train service.
He also reaffirmed government support for completing the Karachi Circular Railway project and the Thar Coal Railways project, aimed at integrating coal fields with the national network. The Prime Minister praised ongoing upgrades to 54 stations nationwide, stressing that modernisation would continue across Pakistan’s railways.
