New high-speed rail to cut Islamabad-Rawalpindi commute to 20 minutes
State-of-the-art trains planned for Pakistan’s twin cities service
DUBAI/ISLAMABAD – The Pakistanis government has approved a modern high-speed rail link between Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with travel time between the two cities set to shrink to just 20 minutes.
The project is designed to ease congestion, save fuel, and give commuters a fast and affordable alternative to road transport.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, with Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and senior officials from the Interior Ministry, Railways, Capital Development Authority (CDA), Islamabad Police, and Frontier Corps also in attendance.
Project details
The new service will operate from Margalla Station in Islamabad to Saddar Station in Rawalpindi. Under the plan, the Ministry of Railways will provide track infrastructure while the CDA will manage operations. A framework agreement is set to be signed next week, paving the way for the import of state-of-the-art trains.
Speaking after the meeting, Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi described the project as a milestone for public welfare, noting that it would allow residents to commute quickly and conveniently. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the initiative reflects Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision for modern transport, while Minister Talal Chaudhry emphasised its low-cost, high-speed benefits in reducing road traffic.
Wider impact
Officials believe the project will not only transform daily commuting but also enhance economic activity and promote environmental sustainability by offering an efficient mode of travel. Once completed, the high-speed link is expected to serve thousands of residents across the twin cities each day.