China to supply high speed train units to Pakistan on THIS date!

ISLAMABAD: Special train units will be imported from China for the upcoming high-speed service between Islamabad and Rawalpindi, which is scheduled to start on March 23, 2026.

The project, which aims to provide modern travel facilities to the twin cities, is being developed in collaboration with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Ministry of Railways.

According to officials, the service will operate between Rawalpindi’s Saddar Railway Station and Islamabad’s Margalla Railway Station. The newly added diesel multiple unit (DMU) trains are expected to reduce the travel time between the two cities by just 20 minutes. The CDA will manage the operations, while Pakistan Railways will be responsible for the maintenance of the track infrastructure.

A fare structure has also been proposed, with a one-way ticket priced at Rs. 50. To maximize accessibility, the authorities have recommended extending the Margalla Railway Station to the Ninth Avenue Metro Station, enabling seamless connectivity for passengers.

Once integrated with the metro network, the train will allow passengers direct access to key locations including the Pak Secretariat, Islamabad International Airport, and Srinagar Highway. The move is expected to significantly ease daily commutes for office workers, students, and ordinary commuters traveling between the twin cities.

Currently, direct train travel between Islamabad and Rawalpindi is limited to long-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 towards improving urban mobility in the capital region.