Balochistan train service resumes

Express Tribune

26-03-2025

Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi has announced that train services to and from Balochistan, which were suspended after the attack on Jaffar Express, will resume from March 27 (today).
The terrorists used explosives to stop the train and also sprayed bullets from both sides, breaking window glasses and causing other damages as well.
The engineers of Pakistan Railways have been working to repair the damaged track. Moreover, the railway authorities in Quetta have decided to send passenger coaches and locomotives damaged in the attack to Lahore for repair.
Jaffer Express is scheduled to depart from Peshawar to Quetta tomorrow, with the return journey from Quetta to Peshawar taking place the following day.
To accommodate passengers during Eid, a special train will leave Quetta on March 29, and a 20% discount will be offered on tickets for Eid days.
Additionally, Bolan Express, which previously ran twice a week, will now operate daily to enhance railway connectivity in the province. The number of passenger trains in Balochistan is also being increased from three to nine to improve travel facilities.
Addressing security concerns at railway stations, the minister stated that 500 new personnel will be inducted into the Railway Police, with 70% of them from Balochistan.
A second phase will see the recruitment of 1,000 more personnel to strengthen railway security.
Meanwhile, the Standing Committee on Railways has decided to take in-camera briefing on the terror incident.
The committee met under the chairmanship of MNA Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan the other day. The in-camera session was to be held on Tuesday but due to the interior secretary's absence it had to be postponed, with the committee expressing displeasure over his absence. It directed the ministry to ensure his presence in the next meeting for briefing the committee on that incident.
Thereafter, the media was allowed to attend the meeting and the other agenda of the meeting was taken up by the committee.
The Railway Board secretary briefed the committee about two ongoing mega projects including 'Procurement/manufacturing of 820 high-capacity freight wagons and 230 passenger carriages'; and the 'Thar rail connectivity' project.
He apprised the committee that the approved cost for 820 high-capacity wagons was Rs9.481.716 million; however, their revised cost was now Rs17,575.452 million while 390 remaining wagons were expected to be completed by December 31, 2025.
The secretary added that the carrying capacity, operational speed, axle and gross loads had been increased of those wagons.
He also apprised the committee about the approved cost for 230 passenger coaches which was Rs21,712.275 million but their revised cost had now reached Rs53,392.493 million and the 184 remaining passenger coaches would be completed by June 30, 2027 with improved standard and load capacity.
About the Thar Rail Connectivity project, the secretary said the project's admin approval was taken on May 9, 2024 with a total cost of Rs53,726.926 million and the project had to be completed within two years.