LAHORE – Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari revealed that a bullet train will be run on Lahore to Rawalpindi route to cut the travel time.
Addressing a press conference, she said the travel time would reduce to two hours and twenty minutes only.
Furthermore, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved the projects related to bullet train and launch of first provincial airline “Air Punjab”.
It has been decided to immediately lease four Airbus aircraft for “Air Punjab.” Initially, the airline will operate domestic flights within the country. After completing a one-year operational period, it will be allowed to start international flights as well.
The chief minister has instructed that all necessary measures be taken to make it the best airline in the country.
A detailed briefing on the Lahore to Rawalpindi bullet train project was also given during the meeting. The bullet train will reduce travel time between Lahore and Rawalpindi to approximately two and 20 minutes.
Different options for operating the fastest bullet train in collaboration with Pakistan Railways were discussed.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif assigned Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb the task of collaborating with Pakistan Railways for this project. The Public-Private Partnership model is also being considered for the bullet train project.
Additionally, the Chief Minister sought plans for high-speed trains on six more routes in Punjab:
Lahore to Shahdara and Narowal
From Lahore through Raiwind, Kasur, and Pakpattan to Lodhran
From Sheikhupura and Jaranwala to Shorkot
From Shorkot to Jhang, and from Jhang to Sargodha
From Lala Musa to Sargodha via Mandi Bahauddin
From Faisalabad to Chak Jhumra and Shahinabad
These ambitious projects mark a major step towards revolutionizing both air and rail travel in Punjab.
