Pakistan Railways Modernization Gains Momentum as Türkiye Explores Investment in Major Projects

ISLAMABAD, July 31: Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, during his two-day official visit to Türkiye, held a key meeting with senior officials of the Turkish Contractors Association (TCA) to discuss cooperation on the modernization of Pakistan Railways, infrastructure development, investment, technology transfer, and joint ventures.

The meeting focused on opportunities for Turkish companies to participate in Pakistan Railways’ ongoing and future development projects. Both sides reviewed various partnership models, including Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT), Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC), and other modern financing and implementation mechanisms.

The railways minister invited Turkish firms to invest in Pakistan Railways’ major infrastructure projects, emphasizing that the government is committed to modernizing the railway sector by utilizing international expertise and advanced technologies.

Discussions also covered the participation of Turkish companies in the upcoming phases of the Main Line-1 (ML-1) project, as well as investment and technical cooperation opportunities for the modernization of Main Line-3 (ML-3).

Both sides reviewed prospects for cooperation in infrastructure and logistics to revive the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul (ITI) Freight Corridor. They agreed that restoring the corridor could significantly enhance regional trade, transit, and economic connectivity among Pakistan, Iran, and Türkiye.

The meeting also explored the possible participation of Turkish companies in the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan railway corridor project, along with investment opportunities in Pakistan Railways stations, freight terminals, and logistics parks.

The two sides discussed expanding cooperation beyond railway infrastructure to include commercial development, logistics, and value-added projects. Turkish companies were encouraged to benefit from opportunities for joint ventures and long-term strategic partnerships in Pakistan.

Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said Pakistan Railways is keen to collaborate with Türkiye in technology transfer and the local manufacturing of passenger coaches, freight wagons, and railway equipment. He noted that Turkish expertise would help strengthen Pakistan Railways’ manufacturing and engineering capabilities.

The minister said Turkish contractors’ extensive experience in delivering large-scale infrastructure projects worldwide presents a valuable opportunity for Pakistan Railways. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming the railway system into a modern, safe, efficient, and internationally competitive transport network.

Both sides also agreed to broaden bilateral railway cooperation beyond infrastructure by promoting investment, joint ventures, technical collaboration, professional training, and the exchange of expertise.

The minister said the participation of Turkish companies would create new investment and development opportunities for Pakistan Railways while helping transform the strategic partnership between Pakistan and Türkiye into tangible economic cooperation and long-term development projects.