Pakistan Railways to run 5 special trains on Eid

LAHORE: Pakistan Railways announced the operation of five special trains to accommodate increased passenger demand during the upcoming Eid ul Fitr holidays.

The end of Ramazan witnesses a notable increase in travel as families gather to celebrate Eid together, leading to the Pakistan Railways deploying special trains to address the heightened demand.

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Karachi to Lahore

The first special train is scheduled to depart from Karachi to Lahore on March 26. The route is among the busiest in the country, as it links the country’s largest city with its cultural capital.

Quetta to Peshawar

On the same day, a second special train will leave Quetta from Balochistan, heading towards Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. There are security concerns following the Jaffar Express incident when militant outfits hijacked the train traveling over 1,600 kilometres from Quetta to Peshawar on March 11.

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Lahore to Karachi

The third special train will operate from Lahore to Karachi on March 27, allowing those in the provincial capital to return to their hometowns along the route for Eid celebrations.

Karachi to Rawalpindi

A fourth special train will depart from Karachi to Rawalpindi on March 27, making stops in Faisalabad and Sargodha. The route will connect major urban centres, while also provides access to smaller towns along the way.

Karachi to Lahore

The fifth Eid special train will also leave Karachi for Lahore, taking a route that includes Faisalabad and Sheikhupura. The service is designed to cater to the needs of passengers travelling to and from the key locations in the country’s most populous province.

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Since its establishment in 1861, what would later become the Pakistan Railways, has long provided transportation services across the country. During festive occasions such as Eid, the railway in particular is critical in chauffeuring thousands of people from the main cities to small, remote towns and villages.