Karachi Division

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi has announced that work on the 480 kilometre Rohri Karachi railway track will commence in September this year, with an estimated cost of $2 billion, marking a major step towards modernising Pakistan’s rail infrastructure.
The minister made the announcement while addressing a ceremony in Karachi held to mark the launch of The International School Pakistan Railways Campus, an initiative aimed at providing world class education under a framework of national collaboration and shared growth. The event was attended by Sindh Governor Muhammad Nehal Hashmi, Secretary Railways Mazahar Ali Shah, and other senior officials.
Highlighting the significance of the project, Abbasi described the Rohri Karachi section as one of the most challenging railway tracks, originally constructed in the 1860s. He said the government, under the directives of the prime minister, has prioritised its rehabilitation to improve safety, efficiency and operational capacity. The foundation stone for the project is expected to be laid in September.
The minister also outlined broader efforts to upgrade railway infrastructure, including improvements to stations, platforms and passenger facilities. He revealed that a comprehensive digitisation process of Pakistan Railways is underway and is expected to be completed within a month, aiming to enhance transparency and service delivery.
Abbasi further disclosed that Pakistan Railways has signed an agreement with the Punjab government to expand and modernise rail services across the province. The initiative includes the introduction of fast and regional train routes as well as modern, state of the art rolling stock. Under the agreement, the Punjab government will provide advanced Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) locomotives.
In addition to domestic upgrades, the minister highlighted plans to expand international rail connectivity. He said Pakistan is set to initiate development of a railway link connecting Central Asia and Europe via Iran. Work on the 900-kilometre Rohri Naukundi section has already begun, while the tendering process for the 87 kilometre Naukundi Taftan track is in progress.
Responding to queries, Abbasi noted that a separate project to connect Thar coalfields to the railway network is also underway. The rail link between Islamkot and Chhor is expected to be completed by the end of the year, which will facilitate the transportation of coal and support energy production.
Commenting on regional developments, the minister said Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts have gained global recognition, particularly in easing tensions in the Middle East. He credited the country’s leadership and armed forces for playing a key role in promoting peace and stability.
Sindh Governor Muhammad Nehal Hashmi, speaking at the event, emphasised the importance of Pakistan Railways as an affordable mode of transport for the public. He added that the rail network plays a vital role in connecting different regions of the country, fostering cultural exchange and strengthening national unity.
Officials and experts view the Rohri Karachi upgrade as part of a broader strategy to revitalise Pakistan Railways, improve logistics and support economic growth through enhanced connectivity both within the country and beyond.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed the establishment of two large forest zones near Karachi and Hyderabad, each spanning 10,000 acres, as part of a broader strategy to tackle environmental pollution and enhance green cover across the province.
Chairing a meeting of the Forest Department, the chief minister observed that vast stretches of forest land around both cities remain underutilized despite increasing environmental degradation and urban pollution. He instructed officials to bring these areas under large-scale afforestation initiatives.
Under the proposed plan, two separate forest blocks will be developed, each covering 10,000 acres. The chief minister also emphasized the use of modern irrigation techniques, including drip irrigation systems, to ensure sustainable plantation growth.
During the briefing, Forest Department Secretary Asif Hyder Shah informed the meeting that Sindh’s total forest area stands at approximately 3.3 million acres, accounting for nearly 10 percent of the province’s total land. This includes mangrove forests, riverine forests, irrigation plantations, rangelands, and coastal vegetation.
He also shared details on forest distribution and ongoing plantation campaigns, highlighting previous achievements such as large scale mangrove plantations and record tree planting drives.
Murad Ali Shah set a new target of planting one million mangroves, with a province wide plantation campaign scheduled to commence on March 23. Officials further noted that hundreds of thousands of trees have already been planted in recent years across different categories, alongside efforts to expand nurseries and promote linear plantations.
The chief minister also directed strict action against lease violations and encroachments on forest land, stressing the importance of protecting existing green cover and ensuring effective land management.

Karachi/Gwadar | ReNews Pakistan
Pakistan has formally operationalised a new international transit trade corridor through Iran with the activation of the Gabd Rimdan border terminal, marking a significant step toward strengthening regional trade links and diversifying transport routes across Central and South Asia.
The initiative, led by the National Logistics Corporation (NLC), integrates the Gabd Border Terminal into the Transit International Roads (TIR) system, enabling faster and more secure movement of goods across borders. The development is being viewed as part of Pakistan’s broader strategy to enhance connectivity with Central Asian markets while reducing dependence on traditional transit routes through Afghanistan.
Located between Gabd in Balochistan and Rimdan in Iran’s Sistan Baluchestan province, the upgraded terminal is equipped with modern scanning technology and facilities designed to support containerised and refrigerated cargo. The terminal officially became operational in April 2026.
Authorities say the new corridor offers a shorter, more efficient, and secure trade route linking Karachi with Central Asian destinations via Iran. It is expected to help lower transportation costs and reduce delays by streamlining customs procedures under the TIR framework, which allows goods to move across multiple countries with minimal border checks.
As part of the launch, Pakistan dispatched its first export consignment under the new route from Karachi to Tashkent. The shipment, consisting of frozen meat, successfully cleared customs and continued its journey through Iran toward Uzbekistan.
An inauguration ceremony held in Karachi was attended by senior customs officials and representatives of the logistics sector, who described the development as a major milestone in regional trade integration and a boost for Pakistan’s emerging role as a transit hub between South Asia and Central Asia.