Policy & Economy Desk | April 2025 | 5 min read
| ⚡ Quick Takeaways
• Pakistan Railways has relaunched its Safari Train with AC coaches, upgraded seating, and tourism-focused amenities. • The train features scenic stopovers — including Attock Khurd — plus dining and planned recreational activities. • Pakistan Railways is now earning nearly Rs 300 million per day, its highest daily revenue in over three decades. • The network has been fully digitalised nationwide as part of an eight-month reform drive. • Officials say growing passenger occupancy signals a sharp recovery in public confidence in rail travel. |
Pakistan Railways is undergoing one of its most significant turnarounds in decades. The relaunch of the Safari Train — now equipped with air-conditioned coaches, tourism-oriented stops, and family-friendly facilities — signals a deliberate shift toward modernised, experience-driven rail travel. Coupled with record-breaking daily revenues and a fully digitalised network, the national rail operator appears to be making genuine strides toward a sustainable, passenger-first future.
By The Numbers
| Metric | Figure | Context |
| Daily Revenue (Last 15 Days) | ~Rs 300 Million/day | Record high in 30+ years |
| Reform Duration | 8 Months | Driving revenue & passenger growth |
| Digitalization | 100% Nationwide | Full digital rollout completed |
Safari Train Relaunched: A Tourism-First Rail Experience
Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi inaugurated the revamped Safari Train at Rawalpindi Railway Station, marking the formal relaunch of what is now being positioned as a flagship tourism product for Pakistan Railways. The ceremony underscored the government’s intent to shift rail travel beyond mere commuting and into leisure and domestic tourism.
The upgraded service features fully air-conditioned coaches, redesigned passenger seating, and a clearly family-oriented environment. What distinguishes this iteration from earlier versions is its structured tourism format — with scheduled short stopovers at stations along the route, giving passengers time to explore destinations rather than simply pass through them.
Among the highlighted stops is Attock Khurd, a location known for its scenic landscape and historical significance. Passengers on the route will have access to dining options at selected destinations, with plans for extended stays and recreational programming at key stops in the pipeline.
| ✅ Why This Matters for Travellers
The Safari Train is not a conventional rail service — it is structured as a rolling tourism experience. Families, heritage enthusiasts, and casual travellers now have a low-cost, organised option for domestic tourism without the logistical overhead of self-arranged road trips. |
Safari Train Features at a Glance
The table below summarises the key upgrades and tourism amenities available on the revamped service:
| Feature | Details | Status |
| Air-Conditioned Coaches | Modern AC units across all passenger cars | ✅ Active |
| Improved Seating | Upgraded, comfortable seating arrangements | ✅ Active |
| Family-Friendly Environment | Designated family sections & amenities | ✅ Active |
| Short Station Stopovers | Scheduled stops at scenic & historic locations | ✅ Active |
| Dining Facilities | Meals available at scenic destinations | ✅ Active |
| Extended Stay Options | Overnight / extended halt arrangements | 🟡 Planned |
| Attock Khurd Scenic Stop | Highlighted heritage stop along the route | ✅ Active |
| Recreational Activities | Planned events at key stations en route | 🟡 Planned |
Record Revenue: Pakistan Railways Hits a 30-Year Financial High
Beyond the Safari Train launch, the broader financial performance of Pakistan Railways has drawn considerable attention. According to the Railways Minister, the department has been generating nearly Rs 300 million in daily revenue over the past 15 days — a figure that reportedly surpasses any daily revenue recorded in the last 30 years.
This sharp improvement is attributed to an eight-month reform programme that has targeted both passenger and freight operations. Officials point to rising passenger occupancy rates as an indicator that public trust in rail services has recovered meaningfully — a critical variable for any state-run transport network trying to compete with road and air alternatives.
On the freight side, operational improvements and better scheduling have contributed to the uptick, though passenger revenues appear to be the more visible driver behind the milestone figure.
| 📊 Revenue Context
Rs 300 million per day translates to approximately Rs 9 billion per month. If sustained, this pace would represent a step-change in Pakistan Railways’ financial health — an organisation historically burdened by losses, subsidies, and ageing infrastructure. |
Full Digitalisation: What It Means for Passengers
One of the structural changes underpinning the performance improvement is the full digitalisation of Pakistan Railways operations across the country. The minister confirmed that this rollout has been completed nationally, covering ticketing, scheduling, and operational management systems.
For passengers, digital integration typically translates into more reliable booking systems, reduced ticketing fraud, better seat availability information, and more transparent train tracking. While the full user-facing benefits depend on implementation quality, the infrastructure change is foundational to long-term operational gains.
| ⚠️ Watch This Space
Digitalisation announcements in infrastructure projects often precede the visible consumer benefits by months. Passengers should monitor ticketing platform updates and app functionality improvements as the rollout matures. |
Strategic Outlook: Rail Tourism as a Growth Lever
The Safari Train relaunch is part of a broader policy vision that frames Pakistan Railways not just as a transport utility, but as an economic asset capable of driving domestic tourism. For a country with significant untapped heritage and scenic destinations — many of which are accessible by rail — this strategic pivot has genuine potential.
Historically, Pakistan’s domestic tourism industry has been hampered by connectivity limitations and cost barriers. A structured, affordable, rail-based tourism product addresses both constraints simultaneously. If the Safari Train model proves commercially viable, it could serve as a template for similar services on other scenic corridors across the country.
Officials have indicated that infrastructure upgrades and modernisation efforts will continue across the network, suggesting the Safari Train is an early proof-of-concept rather than a standalone initiative.
Key Takeaways
- The modernised Safari Train is now operational from Rawalpindi Railway Station with premium tourism amenities.
- Attock Khurd stands out as a key scenic and heritage destination along the route.
- Pakistan Railways’ daily revenue has reached an all-time high of Rs 300 million — a milestone not seen in 30 years.
- Full digital integration across the national rail network has been achieved.
- The Safari Train launch signals a strategic pivot toward domestic rail tourism as a revenue stream.
DISCLAIMER: All information in this article is based on publicly available data and official statements. This content is intended for general informational purposes only.
