Pakistan Railways partners with national database body to modernize services

Pakistan is moving to modernize its aging railway system through a major digital transformation initiative led by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and the Ministry of Railways.

The collaboration aims to streamline passenger services, curb fraudulent practices and strengthen security through advanced technology.

At a meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, NADRA Chairman Lt Gen Muhammad Munir Afzal and Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi reviewed plans to integrate the authority’s “Pak App” with the Railways’ application.

The new system will allow passengers to purchase and verify tickets directly using their national identity card, a move the minister said would eliminate bogus ticketing, improve security, and benefit both passengers and the railway network.

The discussions also focused on introducing a Pension Verification System to ensure that only legitimate pensioners receive payments, cutting down on fraudulent claims and preventing financial losses.

Railway officials briefed the minister on digital reforms carried out over the past six months. These include the revival of the IT Directorate, upgrading of the 117 call center to international standards, and the rollout of a Freight Management System designed to curb overloading. To improve customer convenience, point-of-sale (POS) and ATM machines have also been installed at several stations.

Highlighting further initiatives, Minister Abbasi noted the launch of AI-based Safe and Smart Railway Stations to enhance passenger safety, and the ongoing Railways Advanced Infrastructure Network (RAIN) project, which involves laying 1,700 kilometers of fiber optic cable along tracks.

A key decision has also been made to equip the entire railway system with fiber optic connectivity, linking all stations for seamless communication and modern operations.

Chairman NADRA praised the ongoing modernization drive and expressed confidence that joint efforts would help transform the railway sector into a more efficient, secure, and passenger-friendly system.