KEY POINTS
- Air Punjab will fly within 8–12 months
- The bullet train project will proceed through partnerships
- Minister Azma Bukhari rejects Indian allegations over the Pahalgam incident
- Calls Modi a “global terrorist” and warns of retaliation over water disputes
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Punjab government is set to rewrite transportation history with the launch of the country’s first bullet train, set to race between Lahore and Rawalpindi, and the debut of Air Punjab, the country’s first-ever provincial airline.
Announcing this ambitious leap forward, on Saturday, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari shared that Air Punjab is expected to take off within the next eight to twelve months.
Meanwhile, the high-speed rail project will be developed in collaboration with Pakistan Railways, with public-private partnerships and other strategic models under consideration to fast-track its execution.
In a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz, Punjab officially greenlit the launch of Air Punjab—the province’s first airline, marking a bold new chapter in Pakistan’s aviation history.
The first fleet of four state-of-the-art Airbus aircraft will be leased immediately, with the airline initially taking to the skies on domestic routes.
Urgent directives have been issued to fast-track the leasing of the latest aircraft, as the province eyes a smooth takeoff within the year. Following a successful year of operations, Air Punjab is expected to spread its wings internationally.
Calling it a moment of pride, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari told the media, “This is a proud moment for Punjab. Air Punjab will soon be ready to provide its services across the country, enhancing ease, comfort, and connectivity for all.”
In another stride toward modernization, the Punjab government also gave the nod to a high-speed bullet train project linking Lahore and Rawalpindi—set to slash travel time between the two major cities to just two and a half hours.
Operated in partnership with Pakistan Railways, the project will leverage public-private partnerships and other strategic collaborations to gain momentum.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has entrusted Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb with spearheading coordination efforts with Pakistan Railways, ensuring the project moves full steam ahead.
But the vision doesn’t stop at a single track. The government is laying the groundwork for high-speed train services on six additional routes, including:
Lahore to Shahdara and Narowal
- Lahore to Raiwind, Kasur, Pakpattan, and Lodhran
- Sheikhupura Fort to Jaranwala and Shorkot
- Shorkot to Jhang and Sargodha
- Lala Musa to Sargodha via Mandi Bahauddin and Malakwal
- Faisalabad to Chak Jhumra and Shaheenabad
Azma Bukhari underscored Punjab’s pioneering role, noting it is the first provincial government to actively upgrade the railway infrastructure at this scale.
She also emphasized that while the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) remains a cornerstone of development, it continues to be a thorn in the side of Pakistan’s adversaries.
Speaking on the recent incident in IIOK’s Pahalgam, Punjab Minister Azma Bokhari dismissed India’s accusations of Pakistani involvement as a fabricated narrative crafted by New Delhi.
She accused Prime Minister Modi of attempting to turn Kashmir into “another Gaza” and claimed India has transformed into the world’s largest graveyard for Muslims and minorities.
She issued a stern warning against India’s water aggression, vowing retaliation if the Indus Waters Treaty is undermined.
Branding Modi a “global terrorist,” she asserted that true strength lies in the spirit of sacrifice, not weapons, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to respond as it did during the 1998 nuclear tests.
