Pakistan Railways (PR) has decided to run four special trains to facilitate passengers travelling during the Eid ul Fitr holidays.
The statement issued by the PR stated that the public utility has taken the decision on the directions of Railways Minister Hanif Abbas. The special trains will operate on major routes to accommodate the expected surge in passenger traffic ahead of Eid. Millions of people travel on occasions of Eid-al-Fitr and Eid ul Azha to celebrate the days with their families and friends.
The first Eid special train will depart from Lahore to Karachi on March 16. The second special train will run from Quetta to Rawalpindi on March 17. On the same day, the third Eid special train will leave Karachi for Peshawar, providing additional travel options for passengers heading towards Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The fourth special train will depart from Karachi to Lahore on March 18.
Railway officials said the management has taken the decision to provide maximum convenience to passengers travelling to their hometowns to celebrate Eid with their families. Meanwhile, Pakistan Railways authorities have intensified action against ticketless travel as part of efforts to protect railway revenue.
Ticketless Travelling on Trains:
Divisional Commercial Officer (DCO) Railways Abdullah Arshad conducted surprise inspections on trains during a holiday and fined ticketless passengers.
He carried out raids on the Sialkot Express, running from Lahore via Narowal to Sialkot. And the Allama Iqbal Express, which operates between Sialkot and Karachi via Lahore.
During the inspections, the team caught 263 passengers travelling without valid tickets. Railway authorities recovered Rs175,730 in fares and Rs27,200 in fines, bringing the total recovered amount to Rs202,910. It has deposited into the national exchequer.
Officials said they detected 115 ticketless passengers on the Sialkot Express, from whom Rs42,710 was recovered in fares and penalties. Similarly, 148 passengers travelling without tickets were caught on the Allama Iqbal Express, and Rs160,200 was collected on the spot.
