Pakistan Railways has run a milestone dedicated automobile freight train in 2026, marking an early, tangible result of its strategy to introduce commodity-specific freight services. The move is part of a broader freight revival effort that railway officials have identified as the key to restoring the organisation’s financial health.
Freight, not passenger fares, historically generated the bulk of Pakistan Railways’ revenue, and rebuilding that traffic is at the centre of the 2026 reform package. Dedicated commodity trains — for automobiles, edible oil, cement, and other goods — are designed to win back cargo that has migrated to road transport over the years.
Why Commodity Trains Matter
Moving specific commodities on dedicated trains lets the railway offer shippers reliable, scheduled capacity and competitive rates. Automobiles are a natural fit: they are high-value, move in volume between manufacturing hubs and distribution centres, and are costly and slow to transport by road over long distances.
Rail freight also carries clear national benefits — it is more fuel-efficient than road haulage, reduces highway congestion and wear, and lowers transport-related emissions. Every loaded freight train represents dozens of trucks taken off the country’s highways.
Building Toward Profitability
The automobile service is intended as a template. The railway has signalled that further commodity trains, including edible oil and automobile services, are planned through the end of 2026 as rolling stock and dedicated freight capacity come online.
If freight volumes recover as planned, the additional revenue would reduce Pakistan Railways’ dependence on federal support and help fund the passenger-side improvements — new trains, better coaches, and station upgrades — that travellers are already beginning to see.
Passenger Trains Keep Rolling Too
While freight drives the revenue story, passenger services remain the face of the railway for most Pakistanis. You can track every running passenger train live on TrainTracking.pk, with real-time GPS location, speed, and delay information for your journey across the country.