FAISALABAD/JHANG, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 22nd Aug, 2026) Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi on Friday reopened the long-awaited Multan-Jhang-Sargodha train service, calling its restoration a new beginning for Jhang’s economic and social connectivity.
He also announced plans to upgrade eight railway routes and introduce new trains from China capable of carrying around 1,000 passengers.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony at Jhang Saddar Railway Station, he said that restoration of train service had been approved by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif after the issue was brought to his notice.
He said that the initiative was aimed at improving transportation facilities for the people of Jhang and surrounding areas.
He said that it was unfortunate that politics had increasingly moved away from the concept of performance and public service, adding that he took pride in being part of a political group committed to serve Pakistan and contribute to its development.
He credited GDA leader Dr Moazzam Waheed Sheikh for pursuing restoration of the train service and raising the issue with relevant authorities.
The minister also announced that besides the Rawalpindi-Lahore route, eight railway routes would be upgraded as part of efforts to improve the country’s rail infrastructure.
He said that Pakistan would also procure trains from China, with the capacity to facilitate around 1,000 passengers on a service.
Responding to demands raised by Dr Moazzam Waheed Sheikh, Federal Minister Hanif Abbasi accepted both proposals concerning the development of a dry port and provision of rail-based freight and passenger facilities.
He asked the local leadership to proceed with preparations for a dry port, assuring that Pakistan Railways would provide a cargo train as well as an air-conditioned coach to support the initiative.
He said that he was particularly impressed by the spirit of patriotism he witnessed among the people of Jhang, observing that public service should not be restricted by geographical or administrative boundaries.
Turning to national security, Hanif Abbasi praised Pakistan’s armed forces for their sacrifices and said that the country’s peace and prosperity were inseparable from the sacrifices rendered by soldiers defending the homeland.
He said that US President Donald Trump had described Pakistan’s prime minister and army chief as great leaders and referred to Pakistan’s ability to defeat an enemy many times larger than it.
Hanif Abbasi said that proxy elements were being used to create unrest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, but said that Pakistan’s armed forces under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir were responding effectively to threats facing the country.
He said that international community had recognized the capabilities of Pakistan’s armed forces, adding that the sacrifices of soldiers had made it possible for cities such as Islamabad and Lahore to continue their normal life and activities.
“The mother who sends her son to defend the country does not send him for a salary but for Pakistan”, he said, paying tribute to the families of martyrs and adding that the sacrifice of a martyr represented the life and survival of the nation.
He expressed confidence that Pakistan’s development prospects would improve further, attributing the country’s rising international standing to the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
He also praised Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for development and cleanliness initiatives in Jhang.
He said that he was pleased to see improved cleanliness, roads, “Suthra Punjab” initiative and green buses in the city.
He said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had a record of delivering major public projects including hospitals and motorways, and maintained that serving the people remained top priority of the party.
Earlier, Dr Moazzam Waheed Sheikh thanked the federal minister on behalf of the people of Jhang for restoring Multan-Jhang-Sargodha train service.
He said that Jhang was among the most underdeveloped districts of Punjab, with a population of around 2.7 million, of whom about one million people lived below the poverty line.
He highlighted unemployment, inadequate transport facilities for students travelling to schools and colleges, and healthcare challenges as major problems confronting the district.
He said that restoration of the railway service would provide much-needed connectivity and economic opportunities to the people and described it as “the first brick” in Jhang’s development.
Former provincial minister Faisal Hayat Jabwana, MPA Begum Abid Bashir and Sheikh Mukarram Waheed also addressed the ceremony.
Deputy Commissioner Jhang and other officials, political figures and representatives of the local community attended the inauguration ceremony.
