Pakistan has announced to launch of a bullet train between Lahore and Karachi, after which the travel time will be reduced to 5 hours only.
Pakistan Railway has announced the first project of a bullet train in the country, aiming to reduce the travel time between Lahore and Karachi from 20 hours to just 5 hours by 2030.
The ML‑1, a $6.7 billion upgrade of Pakistan’s 1,687-kilometer Karachi–Peshawar rail artery first agreed upon in May 2017, is central to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, which is considered one of the biggest and strongest transportation moves of Pakistan’s history.
Minister of Pakistan Railway, Hanif Abbasi, announced this project at the start of this year, saying that this high-speed rail will not only advance the old Railway network of Pakistan but will also provide a cheap and fast way of transportation compared to air travel. This project will be completed with the collaboration of Chinese Railway Construction Corporation and Chinese Firms.
New Revolutionary Change for Travel and Trade
This bullet train will travel on a 1,215 km long route between Lahore and Karachi. Important stops will include Hyderabad, Multan, and Sahiwal. This train, with a speed of 250 kilometres per hour, will reduce the travel time to only 5 hours, which is currently about 18 to 22 hours on express services like Green Line.
According to Pakistani media, the economy and business class tickets will be expected to range from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000, which is much less than the average aeroplane fare (Rs. 20,000 to 30,000), which will make it feasible for students, families and professional workers.
Double Track and Latest Technology
ML-1 upgradation includes laying double track, construction of old bridges and installing the latest signalling systems, to change the decade-old structure of Pakistan, which is, for now, limited to the speed of 60 to 105 kilometres per hour.
At the start of this year, Cheif Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, has approved the bullet train project of Lahore to Rawalpindi. The recommended rail link between the big cities is expected to reduce the travel time from four hours to 2.5 hours.
Lahore-Karachi Bullet Train Project Timing
- The feasibility study will be completed by 2025
- Construction will start from 2026; however completion target is 2030
- Testing Phase is fixed for 2029
- Launch is expected in 2030, with 10 to 15 trips daily.
- Employment Opportunities
Beyond fast travel, this project’s construction and operation will create thousands of new jobs, increase regional trade and by 2030, the share of freight through railways in Pakistan is expected to rise from 4% to 20%. This dependence on expensive road transportation will save billions of rupees in fuel imports.
A Brave Step
If this project is completed in the given time frame, then the Lahore-Karachi bullet train will change the way of travel for Pakistan, and it will be a cheap option compared to air travel.
According to personnel, this step under CPEC will improve the regional trade of Pakistan after connecting to the Kashgar-Karachi Railway link in future.
Hanif Abbasi said, “This project is not just about reducing travel time. It is about reshaping Pakistan’s economy, creating opportunities and connecting people more than ever.”
Route and Other Important Characteristics
Route: 1215km from Karachi Cantt to Lahore Junction
Important steps: Hyderabad, Multan, and Sahiwal
Speed: Maximum 250 km/h, Minimum 243 km/h
Travel Time: 5 hours after the reduction of 18-22 hours
Economic Development: It will connect Pakistan’s economic centres (Karachi and Lahore), increase trade and the share of freight through railways in Pakistan will rise from 4% to 20%.
Employment Opportunities: Thousands of employment opportunities in Sindh and Punjab during construction.
