Upgraded Karakoram Express rolls out under private operator on Lahore–Karachi route
Pakistan Railways has launched an upgraded 20-coach Karakoram Express between Lahore and Karachi, handing the commercial running of one of the country’s busiest long-distance trains to a private company, Prime Rail. The train was inaugurated at Lahore Railway Station by Pakistan Railways chief executive Muhammad Hafeezullah, TechJuice reported on 31 October.
The upgraded train offers four travel classes — AC Sleeper, AC Business, AC Standard and Economy — and will run daily from both Lahore and Karachi, departing at 3pm. The journey takes about 19 hours, with stops at Raiwind, Sahiwal, Khanewal, Bahawalpur, Rohri, Nawabshah, Hyderabad, Landhi and Drigh Road. The route runs via Sahiwal rather than Faisalabad for now.
On board, passengers will get mineral water, freshly prepared meals, bedding, mobile charging points, Wi-Fi and an infotainment system, with extra complimentary services for passengers in AC Sleeper and AC Business classes. Prime Rail took over ticket bookings and commercial operations from 30 October, after Pakistan Railways announced the handover earlier in the month.
Why it matters
The Karakoram Express is one of Pakistan’s busiest intercity trains, and its move to private management is a test of the railway’s wider plan to hand the commercial running of passenger trains to private firms. The aim is to improve service standards and ease the financial burden on the state-run railway, which has been under pressure to cut losses.
For passengers, the real test will be whether the promised upgrades — new coaches, meals, Wi-Fi and bedding — are delivered consistently on every run, and whether the service stays reliable on a route where trains have often run late. Other trains, including the Millat Express, have already moved to private operators, so the Karakoram Express will be watched as a measure of whether the model works at scale.
What happens next
The train now runs daily under Prime Rail, departing Lahore and Karachi at 3pm. Pakistan Railways has said it plans to move more passenger trains to private operators in phases, and to keep upgrading coaches across its network.
This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.
Sources
- https://www.techjuice.pk/pakistan-railways-launches-upgraded-20-coach-karakoram-express/ (TechJuice, 31 October 2026)
- https://www.techjuice.pk/pakistan-railways-hands-over-karakoram-express-to-a-private-company/ (TechJuice, 19 October 2026)
- https://pakera.pk/karakoram-express-prime-rail-bookings-30-october-2026/ (Pakera, October 2026)
