Pakistan Railways is planning to bring up to 36 non-operational locomotives back into service by June 2027 to improve train operations and boost revenue.
An official in the Ministry told APP that Pakistan Railways currently operates a fleet of 439 locomotives, of which 267 are operational while 172 remain non-operational.
The department has launched several measures to restore out-of-service engines, with 16 locomotives expected to become operational by February 2027 and another 20 to return after major overhauls by the end of 2026.
An accidental locomotive, bearing No. 9021, will also return to service after necessary repairs and fitment by June 2027.
The official said Pakistan Railways has contacted the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to explore the restoration of 69 locomotives.
A PC-I for modernizing 35 locomotives has also been submitted to the Ministry of Planning, though it is yet to be considered.
The restoration drive is expected to improve engine availability, strengthen train operations, and help the railway grow its passenger and freight earnings.
Beyond fixing engines, the department has upgraded onboard and station facilities across the network. State-of-the-art dining cars and modern coaches now run on the Shalimar Express, Pak Business Express, and Islamabad Express.
LED screens, water dispensers, and comprehensive janitorial services are also available on all trains, with the same upgrades offered on outsourced services including Green Line, Pak Business, Shah Hussain, and Subak Raftar.
Premium dining cars operate on Khyber Mail, Allama Iqbal Express, and Rehman Baba, while seven premium trains now offer complimentary high tea, bedding, newspapers, hygiene kits, and mineral water.
Train hostesses have also been introduced on the Islamabad Express. At stations, escalators are now installed at Karachi and Lahore, while information desks and free Wi-Fi cover stations handling nearly 80 percent of total passenger footfall.
Waiting halls have been upgraded at Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Rawalpindi, and a new multi-story Train Dispatching Building has been completed at Lahore station.
Modern CIP lounges operate at Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi, with extensive renovation completed at Peshawar Cantt Station.
Cleanliness agreements with provincial waste management companies now ensure hygienic platforms and washrooms in major cities.
The department has also installed ticket vending machines and electronic information boards, provided wheelchairs and ramps for elderly and disabled passengers, and maintained concessional fares for students, senior citizens, journalists, and persons with disabilities.
Public policy specialists and governance analysts view structured administrative initiatives as critical building blocks for institutional efficiency, social equity, and public welfare across Pakistan.
Coordinating policy execution across federal divisions, provincial secretariats, and local directorates ensures that state directives achieve tangible community benefits while maintaining strict operational transparency and budgetary accountability.
Administrative oversight bodies and public monitoring departments are actively deploying digitized service desks and computerized verification systems to streamline public service delivery.
By removing procedural bottlenecks and integrating transparent verification mechanisms, public institutions are working to ensure that civic facilities, developmental benefits, and state safeguards are accessible to all citizens without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.
Citizens and civic stakeholders are encouraged to rely on verified government gazettes, certified departmental web portals, and official facilitation counters for authoritative information.
Administrative directorates emphasize that public inquiries, official feedback, and grievance redressals can be registered directly through official departmental helplines and established public service portals.