Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways was planning for upgrading two passenger trains to provide maximum facilities to passengers and generate more revenue for the department aiming to drive it to self-sufficiency.
“Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique had already issued directions to the officials concerned to make all the necessary arrangements in this regard to renovate Karachi bound trains to facilitate the masses,” an official in Ministry stated.
He said the upgradation of trains including Karakoram Express and Pak-Business Express would help the department to earn more revenue and that would be renovated on the pattern of the Green Line Train.
Replying to a question the official said that Pakistan Railways was planning to consider various options for branding several passenger trains and railway platforms to generate maximum revenue for the department.
He said the branding of the trains and platforms would address the increasing deficit of Pakistan Railways and allow private firms to advertise their products for this purpose.
The official said that initially Pakistan Railways would be offered five trains and two railway stations for branding their seat covers, internal walls of the passenger coaches, and even toilets as a pilot project.
“The deficit of the department to decrease after starting this project and the minister has already directed the concerned to complete all the formalities in this regard as soon as possible,” he added.
As the days inch closer to Eid ul Fitr, the Pakistan Railways Wednesday announced running five special trains for citizens travelling within the country to spend festive holidays with their loved ones.
The trains will run next week on April 18 — a few days ahead of Eid.
The first train will begin moving from Karachi to Peshawar Cantt, while the second will move from Quetta to Rawalpindi on April 18.
Meanwhile, the third train will travel from Karachi to Lahore on April 19 and the fourth from Rawalpindi to Quetta on April 26.
The fifth and last train will move from Kolhaur to Karachi on April 27.
Meanwhile, the religious affairs ministry said that the date for Eid ul Fitr will be decided after the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee’s meeting on April 20 to sight the crescent moon for Shawwal — the tenth month of the Islamic calendar.
As per calculations in line with the month of Ramadan beginning on March 23, Eid ul Fitr is expected to fall on April 21 or 22.
