The consultant for the Murree glass train project has advised the Capital Development Authority to extend the planned route toward Islamabad International Airport through Faizabad. The proposal was shared during recent meetings between Punjab government officials, Nespak and CDA authorities as work on the project’s next phase gains momentum.
The Punjab government is preparing to launch the glass train service from Lake View Park and the Bhara Kahu bypass to Murree. The feasibility study for the project has already been completed. Under the current plan, the train will run on a 40 kilometre elevated track from the Bhara Kahu bypass to Pindi Point in Murree.
Last month, a Punjab government delegation led by Chief Minister’s Adviser Shahid Ashraf Tarar met CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa and board members. During the meeting, Punjab officials suggested connecting the Murree line with Islamabad airport.
Both sides agreed that Nespak would assist CDA in completing the pre feasibility stage. According to sources, Nespak has now shared the pre feasibility findings with CDA. The consultant proposed using the existing metro track between the airport and Faizabad for the elevated monorail.
It also recommended constructing a 13 kilometre stretch from Faizabad to the Bhara Kahu bypass area to link with the main station planned between Lake View Park and the bypass.
In a future phase, the route could be extended from Rawat to Faizabad along the Expressway to merge with the monorail at Faizabad.
A CDA board member confirmed the discussions and said the authority will now move toward a full feasibility study based on Nespak’s assessment. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has repeatedly called for the early launch of the glass train service, and recently assured residents in Murree that work would begin soon.
These projects are all commendable and undoubtedly beneficial for the public. However, our country is currently confronted with far more pressing challenges—namely education, healthcare, employment, and the rule of law. These are the fundamental necessities that must be addressed on an emergency basis.
Once our people are educated, gainfully employed, and prosperous, only then will these additional projects yield their full benefits. Therefore, I earnestly appeal to the higher authorities to prioritize these essential areas—education, healthcare, and law and order.
Opportunities for employment must be created for the people, as they are being crushed under the weight of inflation, terrorism, unemployment, and poverty. If these core issues are resolved on a priority basis, then all other projects will become far more effective and impactful.
Education is and has been the last priority in Pakistan since its creation. In the first 10 years of independence we established a number of top class institutes for higher education, such as Universities of Karachi, Sindh, Peshawar and IBA at Karachi. But thereafter we started neglecting education. In Ayub era only Islamabad University was formed in a rudimentary state, while Agriculture and Engineering Colleges were upgraded ut no substatial budget was allocated for education. At that time the counries we call Asian tigers were educating their children. Then came a wave of nationalization and de-nationalization of educational insitutions until we reached a stage where education sector has been transferred to business class. Govt has nearly washed its hands of education and we haveabout 25 million children out I f school.
You think these “authorities” will do what you ask? Did they do it for 70+ years (and counting). Will they do it for another 70 years? These “authorities” are becoming even more “authoritarian” with their (un)constitutional amendments… If this cuntry falls under its own weight. Or is done in by someone like India. It is it’s own fault. And it can only blame itself. And these “authorities” that would be responsible as well…
How many people and from which class will benefit from the glass train to Muree ? Only the elite class and only during the summer season ( 4 or 5 months).
Will it not be better to spend the money on improving the Rawalpindi – Lahore section which can reduce the travel time from 4.5 to 3 hours. It will benefit great number of people all the year.
In a country like Pakistan, where people don’t even have access to basic necessities, investing in projects like this isn’t sensible. Rather than launching luxury trains, the government should focus on meeting people’s basic needs first.