Pakistan Railways Targets 14 Freight Trains by January, Approves Khanewal Dry Port, FIA to Probe Train Examiners
Pakistan Railways aims for 14 freight trains by January, approves a Khanewal dry port and five weighbridges, and orders FIA inquiries on train examiners.
Pakistan Railways is aiming to run 14 freight trains by January 2027, Railways Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said on 6 November 2026. He also approved a dry port at Khanewal, ordered five more weighbridges by 31 December, and said FIA inquiries will target train examiners after accidents caused by mechanical faults. No passenger fare or timetable change was announced.
If you book a seat, your ticket works the same today as it did yesterday. If you send goods by road or rail, or you live near a branch line in Punjab, some of this does affect you.
We read the Press Information Department release (No. 72), issued from Lahore, on 7 November 2026. The minister held the meeting at Pakistan Railways headquarters.
The target is 14 freight trains by January
The release says "a target has been set to operate 14 freight trains by January", in response to demands from the business community. It does not say how many run now, what routes they will use, or what they will carry.
A dry port is an inland yard where cargo is handled and cleared, away from the sea. The minister approved one at Khanewal to handle cargo and attract more freight business. The release gives no cost and no completion date, so treat it as an approval, not a project with a timeline.
| Decision | Number or date | What the release leaves out |
|---|---|---|
| Freight trains | 14 by January | Current number and routes |
| Khanewal dry port | Approved | Cost and completion date |
| Weighbridges | 5 more by 31 December | Where they will go |
| FIA inquiries | Against negligent train examiners | Which accidents |
| Sleeper factories | Double shifts | Start date |
FIA will look at train examiners after mechanical accidents
A train examiner checks a coach or wagon before it runs. The minister said that after accidents caused by mechanical faults, inquiries will go through the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) against examiners found negligent. That takes the matter outside the department.
The move comes inside the safety emergency declared on 24 October, which runs until 31 December. Our report on the Pakistan Railways safety emergency covers the cancelled leave and daily reports. The release does not name any accident or examiner.
The minister also voiced displeasure at delays in buying spare parts for locomotives and passenger coaches, and told officials to clear the bottlenecks. The release gives no list of parts and no deadline.
Five more weighbridges are aimed at overloaded wagons
A weighbridge is a large scale that weighs a full wagon or truck. The release says five more will be installed across the country by 31 December, to curb overloading. Loads that are too heavy damage track and wagons.
Overloading is also on the road agenda. A cabinet committee cleared higher road penalties in October, as we reported in our piece on the overloading fine. That is a separate road rule, and the railway step does not change it.
DVM and DVS coaches will be phased out
The release says the minister directed officials to "phase out DVM and DVS coaches from the railway system". It does not explain those codes or say how many coaches are involved. It also gives no date, and it does not say whether any train loses seats. We will not guess.
Sleeper factories, which make the blocks that hold the rails, will run double shifts to raise output. Operational meetings will also stop at headquarters and move to the divisional level, an internal change that should put decisions closer to the field.
In a separate meeting, the minister and Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb discussed restoring branch railway lines in Punjab. She said funds would be released at once. The release names no line and no amount, so do not plan on any branch line reopening yet.
What passengers and freight customers can do now
Passengers need to do nothing new. Ticket rules, fares and refund rules stay as they were. Freight customers should ask for a rate and a schedule before moving goods to rail on the strength of this announcement.
- Passengers: check your train on the normal route, and see our guide to train timings.
- Report a fault or a safety worry on the numbers in our Railways complaint guide.
- Small senders: compare the Railways parcel rates before you book.
- Businesses: ask the divisional office about freight rates and slots, since new trains are a target, not a timetable.
Common questions
Did Pakistan Railways raise fares on 6 November?
No. The release mentions no change in passenger fares or timetables.
How many freight trains will Pakistan Railways run?
The target is 14 by January, according to the release. It does not give the current number.
Where is the new dry port?
At Khanewal in Punjab. The minister approved it to handle cargo and attract freight business. No cost or date is given.
What is a train examiner?
A railway employee who checks coaches and wagons before they run. The minister said FIA inquiries will target examiners found negligent after mechanical accidents.
When will the five weighbridges be ready?
By 31 December 2026, the release says. It does not list the locations.
Which branch lines will reopen in Punjab?
None has been named. The Punjab Senior Minister said funds for restoring branch lines would be released at once.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked 7 November 2026. We read Press Information Department release No. 72, dated Lahore, 6 November 2026. We did not check the Pakistan Railways site for a separate notice. The freight target is a stated aim, so we will report when the trains actually run.
About the author
Global Affairs & Political Economy Writer
Muhammad Hatim is a book lover who started writing because he enjoys it. At Pakistan Era he writes about international relations, geopolitics and the global economy, with a particular interest in South Asia and the forces behind current events.
