Pakistan Railways’ ambitious plan to connect Karachi and Lahore through bullet train has been presented as nothing short of revolutionary. If completed, the line would cut travel time from 20 hours to five and provide a much-needed alternative to road transport. With projections of saving billions of rupees in fuel imports and creating thousands of jobs, the government has painted a picture of modernity on fast track.
Yet, the question that looms large is whether such a grandiose project is even feasible against the backdrop of our crumbling railway infrastructure. Even today, trains routinely suffer derailments, outdated signalling systems remain prone to accidents and safety gear during the monsoon season is barely functional. In fact, more than 400 railway accidents have been reported in the last decade alone. It is not just the tracks that are in disrepair but also the very institution of Pakistan Railways, struggling with inefficiency and chronic financial losses. This is why many critics see the project less as a national necessity and more as a political showpiece. PML-N has long had a penchant for showcase projects – built more for optics than for structural reform. The delay in completion of ML-1 project, itself a crucial part of CPEC, raises further doubts. If a project already under negotiation for years could not move forward, how realistic is the execution of an even more ambitious bullet train line?
No high-speed train can run smoothly on foundations plagued with corruption and neglected safety standards. Without systemic reforms, a bullet train risks being yet another white elephant. Instead of chasing after grand visions, the government would do well to first fix the basics: modernise existing tracks and ensure safety for passengers. Unless that groundwork is laid, the promise of a bullet train will remain little more than an illusion speeding through the fog.
