In a major step toward modernization, Pakistan Railways has decided to outsource all its guesthouses to private firms and install free Wi-Fi at approximately 40 railway stations across the country. Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi made this announcement during a briefing to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Railways, held at the Parliament House under the chairmanship of Rai Hassan Nawaz.
Abbasi explained that advertisements for the outsourcing process have already been issued in newspapers, and renowned hospitality firms will be selected to take over the management of railway guesthouses. The initiative aims to improve service quality, enhance maintenance standards, and generate non-fare revenue for the department.
The minister also announced that free Wi-Fi would soon be available at nearly 40 busy railway stations to facilitate passengers and staff. “We are investing in technology and passenger comfort. Digital transformation is the only way forward,” he added.
In the meeting, issues of encroachment on railway land in Dera Ghazi Khan were discussed, with Abbasi instructing local officials to implement the Lahore High Court’s decision and return federal land to Pakistan Railways. He urged local authorities to support the removal of encroachments and cooperate in securing rail assets.
Additional topics included the installation of filtration plants for clean drinking water at railway stations and upgrading emergency medical response during travel. Rail officials confirmed that first-aid is available onboard and doctors at major stations assess critical cases. The “Rabta” app’s inefficiency was also discussed; Abbasi said a dedicated IT team is working to relaunch an improved version by July 15.