Lahore Station Launches Rs300 Luxury Passenger Lounge

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Pakistan Railways has unveiled a newly renovated, business-class-style lounge at Lahore Railway Station, offering travellers comfort and modern amenities at a remarkably affordable cost of just Rs300.

The facility, officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif two days ago, marks the station’s first significant renovation in over 125 years. The upgrade includes two distinct areas: a free family lounge and a Commercially Important Person (CIP) lounge, designed to provide a premium experience to passengers awaiting their trains.

For just Rs300, passengers can enjoy air conditioning, plush recliner seating, high-speed Wi-Fi, tea and snacks, and access to computerised workstations. The design and ambience have surprised many first-time users. Some even mistook it for a private suite or high-end business centre.

“I thought I had entered someone’s office or a private hotel room,” said one passenger. “When the staff told me it was for travellers and costs only Rs300, I couldn’t believe it.”

The CIP lounge features colourful carpeting, soft sofas, and private cubicles equipped with reclining chairs. Refreshments include branded snacks and beverages, served at reasonable prices. The overall appearance and quality have drawn praise from the public.

Travellers like Adeel Zubair and Ikram, who were en route to Karachi, expressed their astonishment. “We assumed the lounge would cost over Rs1,000,” they said. “Finding out it was only Rs300 was shocking. We even asked multiple times to confirm the price.”

The improvements at Lahore Station are part of a broader Pakistan Railways initiative to modernise the country’s railway infrastructure. The Ministry of Railways has announced plans to upgrade other major stations, including those in Karachi, Multan, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad.

Officials noted that the focus is not only on aesthetics but also on enhancing functionality. As part of this effort, 11 trains have been outsourced to improve service quality, although they remain under the ministry’s supervision.

Additional features such as electric escalators and enhanced sanitation have also been introduced at Lahore Station, contributing to a more efficient and pleasant passenger experience.

Pakistan Railways serves more than 40 million passengers each year. With these changes, the ministry aims to meet global standards in station management, comfort, and reliability, particularly for corporate travellers and long-distance passengers.