Pakistan’s first bullet train to cut Lahore–Karachi travel time to 5 hours
High-speed rail project to complete by 2030
DUBAI/ISALMABAD – Pakistan Railways has announced the country’s first bullet train project, a landmark initiative that will slash travel time between Lahore and Karachi from nearly 20 hours to just five by 2030.
Officials said the project, forming a core part of the $6.8 billion Main Line-1 (ML-1) upgrade under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), represents the boldest modernisation effort in the nation’s transport history.
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi confirmed that the 1,215-kilometre line will be built with assistance from the China Railway Construction Corporation. Trains will run at speeds of up to 250 kilometres per hour, with major stops planned in Hyderabad, Multan, and Sahiwal.
Pakistan bullet train
The Lahore–Karachi bullet train will operate along double tracks, rebuilt bridges and new signalling systems, replacing Pakistan’s century-old infrastructure where average speeds remain capped between 60 and 105 kilometres per hour. The service is expected to run 10–15 trips daily once operational.
Officials said feasibility studies were completed in June 2025, while construction is scheduled to start in 2026. The project is expected to undergo testing in 2029, ahead of its public launch in 2030.
Ticket prices are projected to range between PKR 5,000 and 10,000 for economy and business classes, significantly below average airfare of PKR 20,000–30,000. This pricing structure is designed to make the bullet train accessible to students, families, and professionals, while offering a faster alternative to air and road travel.
Economic impact
Beyond faster passenger travel, the bullet train project is expected to reshape freight movement. Pakistan’s rail freight share currently stands at just 4 percent but is forecast to rise to 20 per cent by 2030. The government estimates that the new high-speed line will save billions of dollars in fuel imports by reducing dependence on road transport.
Authorities also expect the scheme to generate thousands of jobs during construction and operations. With Karachi and Lahore being Pakistan’s economic hubs, the new line is anticipated to strengthen regional trade and logistics links.
Wider initiatives
This announcement follows Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s approval of a separate Lahore–Rawalpindi bullet train earlier this year. That project aims to cut travel time between the two cities from four to five hours down to two hours and 20 minutes.
Pakistan Railways has undertaken several modernisation steps in recent years, including new locomotives, track rehabilitation, and digital ticketing systems. However, officials said the bullet train is set to be the most ambitious and transformative development in the sector, potentially linking in future to an extended Kashgar–Karachi route under CPEC.