The railways of Pakistan have been going through a decline in the last few years for a variety of reasons, mainly government apathy and the lack of funds for modernization. One result of this has been the abandoning of whatever little electrified track it had.
By 1966, the 290-km route between Lahore and Khanewal had been electrified on 25 KVAC. 29 locomotives of 3000 hp rating were acquired from what was then known as British Rail Traction (including the conglomerate AEI and English Electric). These were classified as BCU30E and were numbered 7001-29. Here is one which is currently lodged at the museum at Golra Sharif (north of Rawalpindi):
http://pakistanrail.tripod.com/photos/index.album/electric-locomotive?i=26&s=1
And one of the few which were still running in 1996:
Later this longer clip appeared on Youtube. The dates are not clear:
In the initial years it was planned to extend electrification towards Rawalpindi and Peshawar but the presence of a few tunnels caused second thoughts. Another place where electrification would have been useful was the Bolan Pass route up to Quetta with its 1:25 gradient, the steepest main line in South Asia. Power shortages put an end to any further plans for electrification.
By the 2000s the traction lines on only one of the two tracks were functioning. By 2009 the locos were showing their age and had been taken off passenger duties. The few which were functional were used on short goods trains. Here you can see one of these at Sahiwal (formerly Montgomery) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ56AcTBAL0
By 2011, it was decided to stop electric services: http://tribune.com.pk/story/124828/pakistan-railways-electrical-locomotives-wrapped-up/
But even in 2013 the media felt that extending electrification would be a good idea even with the limited locos and infrastructure. The theft of overhead wire was cited as one reason for abandoning electrification. On the other hand India and numerous other countries are extending electrification, which is well known to the media there. As in India, there is alleged to be a diesel lobby plotting against electrification.
This TV report (in Urdu) is critical of the government’s decision, and also shows the railway worker’s reactions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBtDLBj4tH4
But it looks as if it will be a long time (if ever) when we can see electric locos running in Pakistan.
Reference: a good general description of most locos presently seen in Pakistan can be seen here:
http://pakistaniat.com/2007/05/19/pakistan-railways-3000hp-iron-horses-train-engines/
Even in 2022, current videos on Youtube show the traction masts still in position although the overhead wires have been removed.
abn397 