LAHORE: Pakistan Railways has decided to hand over the management of 11 trains to private companies, sources revealed on Tuesday.
Officials stated that the commercial operations of these trains will be outsourced to the private sector to improve passenger services and generate more revenue for the department.
The trains that are part of this move include Hazara Express, Bahauddin Zakaria Express, Millat Express, Subak Kharam Express, Rawal Express, Badar Express, Ghori Express, Ravi Express, Thall Express, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, and Moenjo Daro Passenger.
According to sources, companies interested in managing these trains have been asked to submit their proposals by August 12, and the bids will be opened on the same day.
Earlier in February this year, Pakistan Railways had already made a similar decision to outsource seven other trains, Hazara Express, Karachi Express, Farid Express, Bahauddin Zakaria Express, Sukkur Express, Rawalpindi Express, and Mohenjo Daro Express.
Railway officials clarified that this is not a privatization move, but rather a strategy to outsource operations while the ownership remains with Pakistan Railways.