Pakistan’s First Bullet Train to Cut Lahore–Karachi Travel Time to Just 5 Hours – October 2025 Update

Pakistan Railways has officially confirmed in October 2025 that work on the country’s first-ever bullet train will begin in early 2026. This ambitious project aims to connect Lahore and Karachi in just 5 hours, completely transforming long-distance travel in Pakistan. The project is part of the CPEC ML-1 (Main Line 1) upgrade, with an investment of $6.8 billion (about PKR 1.93 trillion).

Latest October 2025 Developments

According to the latest update from the Ministry of Railways, the feasibility study has been completed, and final agreements with China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) are now being reviewed. Land surveys are in progress across Punjab and Sindh, with construction expected to begin in mid-2026. The target completion year remains 2030, but the government is pushing for early testing by 2029.

This high-speed train will be Pakistan’s first to run at 250 km/h, reducing travel time between Karachi and Lahore from 18–22 hours to just 5.

Key Features of the Bullet Train Project

Feature	Details
Route	Lahore to Karachi (1,215 km) via Multan, Sahiwal, and Hyderabad
Travel Time	5 hours (currently 18–22 hours)
Speed	250 km/h (average 243 km/h)
Project Cost	$6.8 billion under CPEC funding
Start of Construction	2026
Expected Launch	2030
Operator	Pakistan Railways & China Railway Construction Corporation

Ticket Prices and Booking

The train will have Economy and Business Class coaches.

• Economy Ticket: PKR 5,000–7,000
• Business Class: PKR 8,000–10,000

Tickets will be available through the Pakistan Railways mobile app, official website, and booking counters at major stations. Passengers will need a valid CNIC or passport for travel.

Benefits for Pakistan

The bullet train is expected to bring several major advantages:

• Faster, affordable travel: A low-cost alternative to air travel (flight tickets cost PKR 20,000–30,000).
• Economic growth: Links major trade hubs of Lahore and Karachi, increasing freight capacity from 4% to nearly 20%.
• Job creation: Thousands of jobs will open up during construction and operation.
• Energy savings: Reduces fuel dependency, helping Pakistan save billions in oil imports.

Challenges Ahead

While the mission guarantees progress, there are some hurdles. The high fee, land acquisition delays, and technical upgrades of previous tracks may also slow progress. However, authorities officers say that Chinese engineers and nearby groups are committed to meeting deadlines.

Final Words

The Lahore-Karachi Bullet Train 2030 is Pakistan’s boldest transport venture. With strong progress shown in the October 2025 release, the dream of traveling between Lahore and Karachi in just 5 hours is coming true. If completed on the timetable, this project will mark a brand new era of present-day, safe, and speedy travel in Pakistan – boosting the economy, tourism, and connectivity across the country.