Pakistan Launches High-Speed Rail Project Between Islamabad and Lahore
Pakistan has initiated preparations for building a high-speed rail line between Islamabad and Lahore to improve connectivity and cut travel time to just two hours and 45 minutes. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway supply.
The new corridor will link Rawalpindi, part of the Islamabad metropolitan area, with Lahore — the largest city in Punjab with over 14 million residents and a major economic hub.
Pakistan Attracts Investment for High-Speed Rail
The government is exploring various funding models, including public-private partnerships, as the estimated cost of construction reaches $10 billion.
Punjab’s Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb has already started consultations with Pakistan Railways to discuss potential funding sources and international investment opportunities.
The project includes upgrading existing tracks, renovating bridges, and modernizing yards. It also involves constructing second tracks along single-track sections to ensure uninterrupted operations.
Pakistan Expands Rail Infrastructure in Punjab
Additionally, feasibility studies are underway for six other railway corridors across Punjab, with completion expected by the end of June.
Pakistan continues to invest in urban rail systems. Lahore launched the country’s first metro in 2020, and in 2023, authorities approved the city’s first light rail transit line.
These developments highlight Pakistan’s focus on infrastructure modernization, which strengthens the national economy and boosts the transport sector’s appeal to investors.
Launching the Islamabad–Lahore high-speed line marks a major step toward building a sustainable transport network and enhancing the role of railways in Pakistan’s long-term development.