Pakistan’s Biggest Transport Project Ever? The Bullet Train Is Coming
Get ready for a massive change in how you travel across Pakistan. The long, nearly day-long train journey from Lahore to Karachi is about to become a thing of the past, thanks to the country’s first-ever bullet train.
This game-changing project will slash the travel time between the two major cities from a grueling 20 hours to an incredible five hours.
This isn’t just a new train; it’s a massive $6.8 billion upgrade of the main railway line (known as ML-1), happening under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). It’s easily one of the most ambitious transport projects in the nation’s history.
So, what will the journey be like? Picture yourself cruising at speeds up to 250 km/h on a 1,215-kilometer route. The train will make stops in key cities like Hyderabad, Multan, and Sahiwal, connecting major hubs like never before.
Perhaps the best part is the price. A ticket is expected to cost between PKR 5,000 and 10,000. That’s a huge saving compared to the average plane ticket, which can set you back PKR 20,000 to 30,000, making fast travel accessible to almost everyone.
To make this speed possible, the country’s century-old railway infrastructure is getting a complete makeover. The project involves laying double tracks, rebuilding bridges, and installing modern signaling systems to replace the old tech that currently keeps train speeds down to 60-105 km/h.
And there’s more good news. A separate bullet train project connecting Lahore and Rawalpindi has also been approved, which will cut that trip down to a quick two and a half hours.
So, when can you get on board?
- Construction Starts: 2026
- Testing Begins: 2029
- Full Operations: 2030
Once running, the train is expected to make 10 to 15 trips a day.
This project is about more than just convenience. Officials say it will create thousands of jobs, boost trade, and dramatically increase the amount of cargo moved by rail from just 4% to 20% by 2030. As Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi noted, the bullet train will not only transform travel but also help reshape Pakistan’s economy by connecting people and markets far more efficiently.
