Pakistan Railways (PR) has moved into the final phase of its plan to locally manufacture 295 high-capacity wagons with Chinese assistance, aiming to complete the production by March. According to senior officials, PR has assigned targets to its manufacturing units to meet the deadline.

The railway department has also set production goals for over 170 high-speed passenger coaches, including brake vans, which are expected to be completed by June 2027. PR officials say the initiative is part of a broader effort to modernise freight and passenger operations through the induction of upgraded rolling stock.

PR General Manager (Manufacturing & Services) Ghulam Qasim said the programme began four years ago when PR placed orders for 820 wagons and 230 coaches under a technology transfer agreement with China.

He said China manufactured 200 wagons and 46 passenger coaches, while also training PR personnel during the process. He added that Chinese engineers are now assisting local teams as Pakistan Railways carries out the remaining production at its carriage factories and workshops.

So far, PR has completed 325 wagons in Pakistan, including 200 semi-knocked-down units and 95 completely knocked-down units. The 200 wagons built in China comprised 70 flat container wagons, 70 high-sided open-top wagons, 20 covered wagons and 20 brake vans.

Qasim said PR’s Risalpur factory and Lahore’s Mughalpura workshops will manufacture the remaining 295 wagons in phases, beginning November 25 and ending March 30.