China to Provide High Speed Train Units to Pakistan

Special train units will be imported from China for the upcoming high-speed service between Islamabad and Rawalpindi, scheduled to begin operations on March 23, 2026. The project, aimed at providing modern travel facilities to the twin cities, is being developed under the joint collaboration of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Ministry of Railways. According to officials, the service will run between Saddar Railway Station in Rawalpindi and Margalla Railway Station in Islamabad. The newly inducted diesel multiple unit (DMU) trains are expected to reduce travel time between the two cities to just 20 minutes. The CDA will manage the operations, while Pakistan Railways will be responsible for maintaining track infrastructure. The fare structure has also been proposed, with a one-way ticket costing Rs. 50. To maximize accessibility, authorities have recommended extending Margalla Railway Station up to the Ninth Avenue Metro Station, enabling seamless connectivity for passengers. Once integrated with the Metro network, the train will allow commuters direct access to key destinations, including the Pak Secretariat, Islamabad International Airport, and Srinagar Highway. This step is expected to significantly ease daily travel for office workers, students, and general commuters traveling between the twin cities. Currently, direct train travel between Islamabad and Rawalpindi is limited to longer-distance routes, such as the Islamabad Express, which connects to Lahore and stops at both Margalla and Rawalpindi stations. The dedicated high-speed service is seen as a major step toward improving urban mobility in the capital region.