Plastic waste tarnishes Patriata's scenic charm
The provincial "Clean Punjab" campaign has gained widespread public support, yet the condition of the Patriata Chairlift and Public Park, managed by the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP), continues to deteriorate.
Tourists and residents alike have voiced disappointment over the unsanitary environment. A citizen, Zahid Khan, said that the TDCP, despite receiving a sizable budget and earning millions in ticket sales, has failed to maintain basic cleanliness standards, causing significant inconvenience for visitors. Another citizen said that the accumulation of garbage and plastic waste has reportedly led to skin and respiratory issues among locals.
The TDCP director told The Express Tribune that cleanliness and courteous behaviour are key to the success of any tourist destination.
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Express Tribune
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- Express Tribune
Olympian Sabrina returns to Austria after successfully completing Karachi to K2 mission
Austrian judoka Sabrina Filzmoser with young athletes during the training session at a judo club in Hyderabad, Sindh. PHOTO COURTESY: PJF The four-time Olympian judoka Sabrina Filzmoser fulfilled her her dream of completing the mission to spread the message of peace and cycling from Karachi to K2 as a part of Judo for Peace expedition. She began her journey in Karachi on May 22 just a day after arriving the City of Lights, where she also visited Jinnah's Mausoleum and the Sea View, before making her way towards Hyderababd and Sukkur while Pakistan was under an extreme heatwave. She was very interactive on her journey that she covered on a bicycle but also stopped in every city to train with local judokas. She documented her journey on her instagram account as well. She was travelling on her own expense but she was supported by the Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) when it came to logistics, security, and mingling with the local judo community. "Sabrina returned to Karachi after completing her mission," the PJF secretary Masood Ahmed told The Express Tribune. " She returned to Austria on Friday morning after an extraordinary journey." In June, she achieved the incredible feat of becoming the first woman in Pakistan's history to complete the journey of 2,324 km in just 10 days. On her reaching in Skardu Sabrina reflected on her effort with joy and pride, after an arduous journey that she solely covered on her bicycle. "It was a challenging day from Gilgit to Skardu, 14 hours on the road, rain, heat, headwind, crosswind, mudslides, rockfalls, blockages, technical issues, but it's all done and dusted. Safely in Gilgit-Baltistan," she text The Express Tribune back in June. "Now I will spend time preparing for the expedition, working on the permits, train with the Baltistan cycling club and the Judo kids. "Then there'll be a possible one further section on MTB to Askole, probably starting in 10 days, and from there we'll the trek on the Baltoro glacier. "K2 base camp is very remote, we need at least 1 week to reach it from Askole. Afterwards acclimatization period will start, and the actual K2-climbing is possible in a short window end of July/beginning of August." The Austrian athlete covered 2,324 km on her bike, the total altitude she gained was 118,386 meters, and spent 111.45 hours on the road, according to the statistics shared by Ahmed at that point. Sabrina has taken up this journey on her own resources, however, the PJF is helping with logistics wherever they can. From May 21 from Karachi, she then went on to complete the first leg upwards from Karachi to Hyderabad and then Sukkur in sweltering temperatures of 48 to 52 degrees Celsius. From there onwards she reached Rahim Yar Khan to Lahore and then the nation's capital in Islamabad. Later the International Judo Federation Athletes' Commission chairperson went ahead to Gilgit-Baltistan. She briefly left to attend an important International Judo Federation meeting. But she returned in less than a week, began preparing for her K2 expedition and spent more than a month on it, before returning to Karachi to conclude her journey.
Express Tribune
03-08-2025
- Express Tribune
Train derailment hits modernisation
Listen to article Hamza Ali, who opted to travel via rail after a couple of years, arrived early at Lahore Railway Station on Friday, pleasantly surprised by the modernised Central Induction Passenger (CIP) lounge. Air-conditioned waiting rooms, clean restrooms, free Wi-Fi, tea service, and reclining chairs were a welcome change from the outdated and overcrowded facilities he had been used to. "This is something you would expect at an international airport, not a railway station in Pakistan," he told The Express Tribune with a smile, appreciating the visible improvements. As the Islamabad Express departed for its journey, Ali felt optimistic about the direction Pakistan Railways was finally taking. But just an hour into his journey, that optimism quickly turned into fear and disbelief. Near Kala Shah Kaku, a sudden jolt sent panic through the coaches. Several bogies of Islamabad Express derailed, tossing luggage and passengers around. Although there were no fatalities, many were injured, and the train service was suspended for hours. "The moment it happened, I thought we were going to die," Ali explained. "All that comfort vanished in a second. I am not sure I will ever feel safe travelling by train again." This contrast encapsulates the current state of Pakistan Railways; a corporation trying to modernise and attract passengers with new facilities yet struggling to ensure basic travel safety. Over the past years, the railways ministry has taken several initiatives to improve infrastructure at major stations like Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. Newly constructed passenger lounges, clean platforms, and digitised ticketing systems aim to offer a better experience, especially to premium travellers. The Lahore station's new CIP lounge is part of this broader plan to enhance customer service and restore public trust. However, a series of accidents — derailments, collisions, and even terrorist attacks — continue to shake passenger confidence. The derailment of the Islamabad Express near Kala Shah Kaku is not an isolated incident. In July alone, three minor derailments were reported on Main Line 1 (ML-1), the busiest and most crucial rail artery of the country. ML-1 carries more than 70% of the passenger and freight traffic in Pakistan, but its decades-old infrastructure and rolling stock are in dire need of a comprehensive overhaul. Pakistan Railways has been pinning its hopes on the much-delayed ML-1 upgrade, a flagship project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The $6.8 billion project aims to modernise 1,872 kilometres of track from Karachi to Peshawar, enabling faster and safer travel. While earlier discussions with China seemed promising, the financing has faced continuous delays. Recently, railway officials have started engaging with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to co-finance certain sections of ML-1, particularly those involving high-traffic zones. A senior railway official, seeking anonymity, admitted that internal challenges are as daunting as external ones. "The biggest issue is institutional inertia. Despite repeated accidents, safety audits are often delayed. Funds meant for maintenance are either diverted or lapsed. We are pushing hard to bring reforms, but the pace is slow due to bureaucratic hurdles," the official said. He added that the current management is now trying to set up a dedicated Railway Safety Authority to monitor the condition of tracks, rolling stock, and signal systems in real time. Despite the setbacks, Pakistan Railways has managed to post a modest increase in revenue. For FY25, the entity has earned Rs93 billion, up from Rs88 billion the previous year. This increase is attributed to higher ticket fares, improved cargo handling, and a rise in online bookings. But security concerns are adding another layer of complexity apart from derailments. In recent months, passenger trains in Balochistan and Sindh have been targeted by militants, raising alarms over the safety of passengers and railway staff. The department has now proposed the deployment of dedicated Railway Police squads on long-distance trains and is in talks with provincial governments to increase intelligence sharing to prevent such incidents. The challenge for PR management and its minister is much bigger and more serious. The task is no longer just about upgrading infrastructure or increasing revenues. It is about rebuilding the trust of passengers like Hamza Ali, who now weigh the risks every time they book a train ticket. The railways may be rolling out new facilities and planning mega-projects, but unless it can guarantee safe and secure travel, those efforts may ultimately be derailed.
Express Tribune
31-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Pakistani bikers begin Central Asia tour to boost ECO ties
The group leader Mukarram Tareen shared that the journey will span 23 days and cover approximately 5,000 kilometers, traversing historic, cultural, and natural landmarks across Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. PHOTO: ASIF MEHMOOD Listen to article A group of renowned Pakistani bikers has set off on an international tourism and cultural expedition to Central Asia under the initiative of the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP). The 15-member group aims to strengthen tourism ties among four Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) member states: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The bikers were seen off by TDCP Managing Director Dr Nasir Mehmood at the tourism bus terminal located at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Speaking to The Express Tribune, group leader Mukarram Tareen shared that the journey will span 23 days and cover approximately 5,000 kilometers, traversing historic, cultural, and natural landmarks across Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. 'Our route will take us from Islamabad to Kabul, Kandahar, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Tashkent. We plan to stay in these cities and engage with local communities. The core objective of this expedition is to promote peaceful relations, regional friendship, and cultural harmony,' Tareen stated. Another group member, Nazar Saeed Khan, noted that the overland route to the Central Asian republics has long remained inactive. 'We aim to reconnect with bikers' clubs in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, and invite them to visit Pakistan. Such exchanges can boost tourism and provide opportunities to experience each other's cultures firsthand,' he added. TDCP MD Dr Nasir Mehmood lauded the initiative as a landmark step toward fostering regional friendship, cultural integration, and bilateral tourism. 'This bike rally aligns with Lahore's preparations to be declared the Tourism Capital in 2027 and reflects the Punjab government's commitment to offering international-standard tourism facilities,' he noted. He further emphasised that such healthy and adventurous activities not only promote wellness tourism but also portray Pakistan as a peaceful, harmonious, and welcoming country on the global stage. This initiative stands as a practical example of utilising tourism as a diplomatic bridge—aiming to project a positive image of Pakistan abroad.
