KARACHI(National times)- Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Monday inaugurated the upgraded Shalimar Express after its complete refurbishment. Addressing the ceremony held for the upgradation of Karachi’s historic Cantt Station, the prime minister said the station had been renovated in an exemplary manner. He added that the improved first-class and economy coaches were impressive, and the Shalimar Express now appeared to be an entirely new train. Sharif expressed satisfaction over the upgraded passenger lounge, dining hall and automated ticketing system, noting that outsourcing the train had produced encouraging results. He congratulated Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi for the improvements. He said Karachi was once known as the “city of lights,” but its railway system had deteriorated over the years. He added that station cleanliness had been assigned to the Karachi Waste Management Company and stressed that restoring the railway route to Central Asia could significantly boost the national economy. The prime minister said he was confident the plan would soon materialize and assured that funds required for railway upgradation would be released immediately. He added that under the leadership of Hanif Abbasi, Pakistan Railway was moving toward a modern transport system, and that cooperation with provinces was yielding positive outcomes. The partnership, he said, would be expanded to Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well. Sharif maintained that Pakistan Railway’s network would be further expanded and expressed hope that the system would become one of the region’s leading transport networks in the coming years. He said the freight sector was also being reorganized. The prime minister reiterated his commitment to the Karachi Circular Railway, calling it essential for the city’s commuters. He said modern facilities were being introduced at railway stations nationwide and that old railway buildings were being restored. Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi said the upgradation of Cantt Station had been completed in a short period and that several reforms had been introduced in the railway sector over the past eight months. He said the railway system was in poor condition when he assumed office but that major projects were now underway, including the upgradation of Rohri Junction after 150 years and the preservation of historical buildings. He assured that employee rights would be protected under the outsourcing model and thanked the prime minister and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah for attending the ceremony. Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah said he was grateful to the prime minister and the railways minister. He added that the Sindh government was working extensively to improve transport facilities in Karachi and was introducing electric buses for the city’s commuters. He reaffirmed Sindh’s commitment to fully supporting federal initiatives for railway development.