Rawalpindi–Islamabad Metro Set for Fixes: New Joint Committee Formed
The Federal and Punjab governments have agreed to form a joint coordination committee to drive a comprehensive overhaul of the Rawalpindi–Islamabad Metro Bus Service. The initiative comes as significant portions of the track and several stations require urgent rehabilitation to sustain the system’s efficiency for the roughly 150,000 commuters who rely on it daily.
Joint Committee to Lead Reforms
The decision was finalized during a meeting between Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Punjab Minister for Transport and Mass Transit Bilal Akbar Khan in Islamabad. The committee will be responsible for improving operational efficiency, upgrading station facilities, and rehabilitating critical track infrastructure.
Minister Naqvi underscored the strategic importance of the metro corridor and called for federal support in undertaking much-needed reforms to enhance service quality and capacity.
Urgent Need for Infrastructure Rehabilitation
A key concern raised during the meeting was the deteriorating condition of the metro infrastructure, particularly within Islamabad. Officials from the Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMTA) stressed the immediate need to repair the track and stations from Faizabad to the Pakistan Secretariat, as well as the stretch along 9th Avenue to the Blue Area.
Complicating the rehabilitation efforts is an unresolved financial issue dating back to the project’s completion in 2014. The PMTA noted that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) still owes Rs4 billion on the project’s initial cost, funds considered essential to address current repair and maintenance needs. The PMTA has formally requested CDA’s support to resolve this backlog.
Expansion Plans and a Shift Toward Electric Mobility
Beyond immediate repairs, the ministers also discussed proposals to expand the metro route to meet growing public demand. Both sides emphasized the need to transition toward electric public transport as part of broader efforts to improve commuter convenience and combat smog.
Minister Naqvi highlighted the recent rollout and gradual expansion of electric buses in Islamabad, signaling a shared commitment to integrating modern, sustainable mobility solutions into the metro service’s future.
