Pakistan’s First bullet Train Will Cut Travel Time to 5 hours From Lahore to Karachi!
Imagine traveling from Lahore to Karachi in just 5 hours! Pakistan Railways has unveiled plans for the country’s first bullet train, set to transform travel along the 1,215-km Main Line 1 (ML-1) by 2030. Backed by a $6.8 billion investment through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), this mega project promises faster commutes, economic growth, and thousands of jobs.
What’s New in 2025?
Announced in June 2025 by Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, the Lahore to Karachi bullet train is part of a massive ML-1 upgrade under CPEC. The project, led by Pakistan Railways and Chinese firms like China Railway Construction Corporation, aims to modernize tracks, bridges, and signals to support trains running at 250 km/h. A feasibility study completed in June 2025 has set the stage for construction to begin in 2026, with completion targeted for 2030. This is Pakistan’s boldest transport project yet, aiming to rival air travel and boost trade.
Key Project Details
- Route: Karachi Cantonment to Lahore Junction, with stops in Hyderabad, Multan, and Sahiwal.
- Travel Time: 5 hours, down from 18–22 hours on current trains like the Green Line Express.
- Speed: Average 243 km/h, with a maximum of 250 km/h.
- Cost: $6.8 billion (PKR 1.93 trillion), funded mainly by Chinese loans.
- Infrastructure: Double tracks, rebuilt bridges, and advanced signaling systems to replace outdated tracks (currently limited to 60–105 km/h).
Who Can Use It?
The bullet train is designed for all Pakistanis, from students to professionals and businesses. No specific eligibility criteria exist for passengers, but you’ll need:
- Tickets: Estimated at PKR 5,000–10,000 for economy and business class, cheaper than flights (PKR 20,000–30,000).
- ID: A valid CNIC or passport for booking, likely through Pakistan Railways’ app or stations.
- Advance Booking: Expected to be mandatory due to high demand, similar to Green Line Express .
Requirements for Travel
- Booking: Purchase tickets online via www.pakrail.gov.pk or at major stations like Lahore, Karachi, or Multan.
- Travel Documents: Carry your CNIC or passport; children under 12 may need a B-Form.
- Luggage: Limited to 25 kg per passenger (like current trains), with extra fees for excess.
- Health Measures: Possible health checks or masks, depending on 2030’s public health rules.
How It Works: Project Timeline
- Feasibility Study: Completed in June 2025, outlining routes, costs, and timelines.
- Construction (2026–2030): Upgrade 1,215 km of ML-1 tracks, rebuild bridges, and install modern signaling.
- Testing Phase (2029): Test trains at 250 km/h to ensure safety and efficiency.
- Launch (2030): Bullet train services begin, with 10–15 daily trips between Lahore and Karachi.
- Booking Process: Expected to open in 2029 via Pakistan Railways’ digital platform or ticket counters .
Benefits for Pakistanis
- Faster Travel: Cut the 18–22-hour journey to 5 hours, rivaling flights at a lower cost (PKR 5,000 vs. PKR 20,000 for airfare).
- Economic Boost: Connects Pakistan’s economic hubs (Karachi and Lahore), increasing trade and raising rail freight share from 4% to 20% by 2030.
- Job Creation: Thousands of jobs in Sindh and Punjab during construction and operations, vital with Pakistan’s 45% poverty rate.
- Affordable Fares: Economy tickets (PKR 5,000–7,000) and business class (PKR 8,000–10,000) make it accessible for students, families, and professionals.
- Regional Trade: Links to a future Kashgar-Karachi rail, boosting CPEC trade with China and Central Asia.
- Fuel Savings: Reduces reliance on costly petrol (PKR 258/liter) and diesel (PKR 262/liter), easing household budgets.
Challenges to Watch
- High Costs: The $6.8 billion price tag strains Pakistan’s finances, with $9.4 billion in reserves (June 2025). Repaying Chinese loans could raise taxes.
- Technical Hurdles: Current tracks are outdated, with sharp curves and weak bridges, requiring a complete overhaul.
- Delays: ML-1 upgrades have been stalled since 2015; construction delays could push the 2030 launch to 2032.
- Ticket Prices: Fares (PKR 5,000–10,000) may still be unaffordable for some, compared to regular trains (PKR 2,200–6,650).
- Land Acquisition: Clearing 1,215 km of land could face disputes, slowing progress.
What’s Next?
The Lahore to Karachi bullet train, set to launch by 2030, promises to redefine travel in Pakistan. With 1,215 km of upgraded tracks and a $6.8 billion CPEC-backed budget, it’s a bold step toward modernization. Despite challenges like funding and delays, the project could create thousands of jobs and boost trade .
Economy class at speed of 250km/hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?
I would suggest all my fellow Pakistani, kindly read “Confession of Economic Hitman” then you will understand why these kinds of projects are projected and implemented in third world/under develop countries.
Now remember patrol and taxes are going higher to 50% double
InshaAllah very nice to see fast travelling and hope best wishes for our great homeland to be more and more successful in every good project.Allah make all these things possible and successful.
I am not replying to M. Nawaz post but to Hanif Abbasi who don’t know anything about Bullet trains . Hanif should ask NS and SS who were also claiming to have bullet trains running between LHR and Karachi in their earlier terms of power. What happened was that they both during a visit to china also travelled in bullet train there. Chinese General manager who also accompanied them was asked for that futuristic claim and tried to know how would it cost to have 1200 Km bullet train system between LHR and Karachi. After hearing that it would cost about US $ 20 Million per km meaning thereby that the project as whole would cost US$ 24 Billion, they have never claimed again to have such project. Now that new MOR has flouted such claims. I advise him that before airing such claims he should have known that the proposed ML-1 project is not bullet train but will run at the down graded speed of 120km/he and not 250 km/he and that even after Ml-1 travel time will be much more and 5 hrs. To verify his unrealistic claim he should also visit China and ask them about the cost which I am sure would now be more than US $ 24 Billion.
Ok
China has done excellent work on this highly revenue-generating project in Pakistan. InshaAllah, the investment will be recovered within a very short time, even earlier than expected.
China will be proved East India company of 2030 to impose slavery for pakistan
Ok. Who is going to fund this multi- billion dollar project? Will it be funded from the IMF, World Bank, Asian Development or the Chinese loans? Who will return these loans and at what interest rate?
The internet-generated pic of the train shown here should have shown passengers in burqa and shalwar qameez. By 2030 when you say the project will be implements, Pakistani women won’t start wearing jeans with open hair.
Every good thing has to have a beginning. One should always be optimistic not pessimistic. Please also had (and still have) reservations regarding the motorway. Yet by and large the network of roads constructed as part of modern Pakistan’s infrastructure, is to be appreciated rather than disparaged.
MASHA ALLAH, it’s a very good project to save times of travellers and minimise problems of patients, but following measures are to be taken to make it successful. 1.security measures alongside track and within train required to stop terrorism including detection system against planted bomb blasts.2. There should be fines for spitting in trains 3.No beggar should creat problems especially to women commuters.3 presently, Hanif Abbasi Sahib has completely failed to check persistent derailment of trains and accidents.
Moreover, I would suggest to offer by Railway concessional tickets for senior citizens majority of whom don’t get pensions like me.
China will be proved East India company of 2030 to impose slavery for pakistan
Good suggestions
Good blog
Bro,
Are you forgetting that Daewoo bus is using a similar uniform shown in this picture? Be positive not negative if something is going to happen don’t be ???
Good project but ticket is too expensive.
Ticket prices are shown in the blog which are current.
It’s ticket will be much more than these rates. Perhaps double
Jb ban jae gee to deikhein gay.
Abhi to sheikh chilli k khoab he lagta hay.
Imrani suwar fitna ki govt nahi jo na bany jo kah jata wo kiya jata warna kuch haram khor fitna jese to jnagla bus or orange train ka bhi mazak bnaty thy or roads ka bhi aaj khud un hi road or bussess mein jaa k mujray karty hain laanti …warna kpk ka haal dekhlo kya kiya koi 1 project bata do 13 saal mein pti k kuton ka jo sirf bhonkty hain ya handsome fitna inteshari kutay ki trhan inteshaar philaty hain
You need to dream first to make it reality. Don’t get disheartened
So good 👍
Good news that we going have bullet train in future. Unless railway tracks are upgraded to cope with high speed or otherwise it be disastrous attempt, because there are several reports of derailment.
Imrani suwar fitna ki govt nahi jo na bany jo kah jata wo kiya jata warna kuch haram khor fitna jese to jnagla bus or orange train ka bhi mazak bnaty thy or roads ka bhi aaj khud un hi road or bussess mein jaa k mujray karty hain laanti …warna kpk ka haal dekhlo kya kiya koi 1 project bata do 13 saal mein pti k kuton ka jo sirf bhonkty hain ya handsome fitna inteshari kutay ki trhan inteshaar philaty hain
I am sure that construction of the project will start from the LAHORE side, not KARACHI.
Unlucky Karachiwalay!!!
Bhai Pakistani bano Karachi ya Lahore walay na bano. Project Karachi say shuroo ho ya Lahore side say, functional tou complete honay ka Baad hi ho ga tou iss baat ka Kya faida. Pata Nahin Karachi walon ki soch Pakistani kab ho gi specially mqm walon ki.
The government should think to run electric trains by utilizing electricity from national grid as surplus power is available.
Very happy to see that Pakistan is entering into a speed era and becoming the part of faster world , and Pakistan’s first fast train is schedule to work properly from 2030, we suggest and emphasize government that Rohri Sukkur is a man component and hub of send Balochistan and Punjab and millions of people can be facilitated by this fast train so after Karachi and Hyderabad in a person Rohri junction stop must be included to facilitate the people for the economy boost and need of the time. Thanks.
Zafar Talpur
Accident step but never ignore Rohri junction for future stop thanks.
Pichhliay 15 salon say sun rahay hein iss project ka lakin shuroo nahi ho pa raha. Ye bhi bus news walon ka shosha hay warna umeed koi nahi. Hakoomat ko profitable karobar jaisay k IPPs waghaira say Fursat nahi ya phir sugar ya gandum pehlay export kro phir import kr lo. In karobar mein hakoomat ko faida hay ML-1 mein Kya rakkha hay?
Pakistan railway gives call for shutdown 120 coaches and Punjab making the bullet train, don’t understand the politics…
If it is going to happen , another loan to fill pockets of Shareef , Zardari and Generals.
You need to think about what’s going on with India.
Kya India ki Bullet train mey bhi aisa hi hoga?
Good possibility that these gangsters will make money through huge kickbacks. The best way is that some Chinese company should get contract on B.O.T (Build.operate.transfer) basis. On this term, Contractor with get financing from some banks and will recover it’s investment in few years and handover to railways. Why giving sovereign guarantee and loans
This kind of news always makes Pakistani people feel really good and proud. Hope we are going towards right direction and Pakistan will soon be a prosperous country Insha Allah
Somehow better than buying fighters, tanks etc. Love from India.
Jahil awam ko aur chootia bunao. Abay drainage buna na sakay. 250 kh ki speed ki train bunao gay. Hyderabad ka filter plant by Korea. Na chula sukay. I have traveled in China at 350kh speed at Shanghai, 300 kh speed to Guilin, with stable internet connection. Train runs on electricity. First get circular railway land by PPP jialay vacated. That’s,why Japan refused to bid contract. Jahil awam.
One big step towards slavery for pakistan… China is ruling on pakistan… bechara poor pakistan.. by the way can someone tell what’s the rank of pakistan in world economy….i think pakistan is 5th largest world economy in the world… Please correct me if I am wrong….
Allah Akbar
I preferred to suggest to take immediate action to build DAM for water storage that’s need to the people of Pakistan rather than any other activity right now. A general public is suffering to pay utility bill especially Electric bill to live. Without prosperity of a common man every new projects is useless.