Pakistan Railways has introduced a new set of reforms aimed at making train travel safer and more inclusive, with a particular focus on women and passengers with disabilities. The initiatives were approved in a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Railways Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi.
Stronger Protections for Women Travelers
For women passengers, the ministry is moving toward what it calls “gender-sensitive protocols.” These will include safety awareness campaigns at stations and inside trains, visible posters outlining passenger rights, and frequent public announcements. Railway staff will also undergo gender-sensitization training to help create a more respectful and secure environment for female travelers—a response to long-standing complaints about harassment and a lack of facilities.
Improved Access for Persons with Disabilities
The reforms also extend to passengers with special needs. Newly refurbished trains will include designated seating areas for differently-abled travelers, while major stations will be equipped with wheelchairs. The goal, according to officials, is to ensure accessibility without compromising dignity—an area where Pakistan’s transport sector has traditionally lagged.
A Step Toward Modernizing the System
Minister Abbasi described the reforms as part of a broader effort to make Pakistan Railways more passenger-friendly. While the measures may appear small in scale, they signal a shift toward inclusivity in a system often criticized for outdated infrastructure and lack of attention to passenger welfare.
If effectively implemented, these changes could mark a meaningful step forward for one of the country’s most widely used yet frequently underfunded public services.
