Railway revenue rises 20% to Rs115b

Pakistan Railways posted a 20% increase in earnings during fiscal year 2025-26, with total revenue rising to Rs115 billion from Rs96 billion a year earlier, as the government eyes an even bigger role for freight operations to improve the financial health of the state-run entity. Addressing a press briefing on Monday, Railways Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said he was expecting revenue of Rs120 billion, but described the overall performance as encouraging given the regional and operational challenges faced during the year. Freight operations remained a key driver of growth, generating Rs41 billion compared to Rs36 billion in the previous fiscal year, an increase of nearly 14%. Passenger services continued to contribute the largest share to the railway's income, with revenue standing at Rs51 billion. The minister said Pakistan Railways has now set an ambitious freight revenue target of Rs...