HYDERABAD, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 3rd May, 2026) A delegation led by Vice President of Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders & Small Industry, Shan Sehgal, visited Hyderabad Railway Station and held a detailed meeting with the officials of Pakistan Railways Hyderabad.
On behalf of Pakistan Railways, Station Superintendent Hyderabad Imran Khanzada welcomed the delegation and discussed in detail the issues faced by the business community, improvement of the station, cargo facilities and passenger convenience.
During the meeting, Vice President Shan Sehgal stated that the business community of Hyderabad orders its commercial consignments from all over Pakistan through the cargo service of Pakistan Railways, however, due to the lack of direct off-loading facility at Hyderabad station, traders have to bear additional expenses and double fare to move their goods from Karachi back to Hyderabad, which is an unnecessary increase in business costs. He suggested that if the cargo train is provided with a stay at Hyderabad station for a few hours and offloading is allowed here, not only will the traders of Hyderabad benefit financially but industrial and commercial activities will also increase, which can also significantly improve the revenue of Pakistan Railways.
He further said that on the model of Karachi, a modern waiting lounge with reasonable charges should be established at Hyderabad Railway Station, which should include modern facilities like AC hall, standard canteen, newspapers, internet so that the passengers can have a better and dignified travel environment. Vice President Shan Sehgal stressed the need to develop the parking system around Hyderabad Railway Station on modern lines and said that an organized, safe and beautiful parking lot should be designed on the model of Autobahn Road, while its management should be entrusted to a reputable and professional company instead of a substandard mafia so that the public and traders get better facilities.
Stressing the need to improve the quality of stalls at the railway station, he suggested that the commercial stalls of the station be modernized and at least 20 percent quota be given to the HCSTSI to improve the station environment through quality brands, food as per health and hygiene principles and better services.
On this occasion, Station Superintendent Imran Khanzada said that a complete operational mechanism is required for the stopping and offloading of cargo trains, which includes proper track, loading and offloading area and other technical requirements.
He suggested that the HCSTSI should prepare a comprehensive proposal in collaboration with the traders, which the Hyderabad Station would send to the higher authorities along with its recommendations so that the cargo offloading facility for Hyderabad could be implemented. He further said that Pakistan Railways is currently providing high-speed cargo service from Karachi to Lahore in 36 hours, and if the business community partners with the railways in a serious and systematic manner, Hyderabad station can also be made a part of the modern cargo network in the same way.
Imran Khanzada said regarding the stalls at the station that for decades, limited vendors have been participating in the auctions, due to which the quality could not improve. He said that if the chamber and the business community participate in these auctions in a full manner, then significant improvements can be made in the facilities, food quality and business environment at the station.
Ghulam Rasool, Convener of the Railway Sub-Committee, said on this occasion that the main objective of the HCSTSI is not just to identify problems but to create lasting solutions through institutional partnerships. He stressed that just as the Chamber’s representatives are included in the governing bodies of other important institutions, similarly, Hyderabad Chamber should be represented in the relevant governing or advisory body of Pakistan Railways so that the business community can directly play an effective role in policy making, station upgradation, business facilities and decisions according to local needs. He said that the involvement of the Chamber will not only strengthen the connection between the railways and the business community but will also help in making Hyderabad Railway Station a modern, functional and commercial hub.
This meeting was held in continuation of the previous detailed meeting held with Pakistan Railways officials from Karachi and Hyderabad at the Hyderabad Chamber Secretariat in November 2025, which aimed to take practical steps on the recommendations submitted, review the problems at the local level and take forward a joint action plan for the improvement of Hyderabad Railway Station. Muhammad Nadeem Supervisor Train, Hyderabad, Asad Hussain, Head Ticket Collector, Hyderabad and HCSTSI Secretary General Furqan Ahmed Lodhi were also present on the occasion.
