Railways in loss despite record revenues

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways (PR) posted the highest annual revenue of Rs115.157 billion in 2025-26, reflecting a 24.19 per cent year-on-year increase amid administrative reforms, improved financial management and stronger commercial performance.

However, PR was still at a loss, owing to multiple factors, including a lack of capacity to compete with road transportation.

Speaking to a select group of journalists, Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi said the financial and management targets had been successfully achieved.

He stressed that the work continues on developing a state-of-the-art railway network, upgrading infrastructure, expanding freight operations, introducing digital systems and improving passenger services to international standards.

“We have achieved the targets that prove financial management of Pakistan Railways can be achieved,” Mr Abbasi said, adding this reflects the collective efforts of the entire team.

He added that the focus now is on transforming railways into a modern, efficient and financially sustainable organisation. The official figures showed that passenger revenue increased to Rs50.590bn, the highest in the organisation’s history, while freight earnings reached Rs40.781bn.

Revenue from the sundry segment climbed to Rs16.401bn, registering an impressive 90.82pc annual increase.

Freight........

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