After getting special approval by
to facilitate citizens ahead of upcoming Eid Season, the Quetta-Peshawar bound Jaffar Express departed from Quetta Railway Station on Wednesday, carrying 322 stranded passengers to Sindh, Punjab and KPK.
The first train 101-Up Subak Raftar left with 105 passengers for Rawalpindi under strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Wednesday. According to a railway official, the Jaffar Express departed from Quetta with strictly implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) set by Pakistan Railways in order to curtail the spread of contagious virus.
“Train operation has been restored from Quetta division after a hiatus of nearly two months. The train compartments have been fully disinfected by our staff at Quetta Railway Station while implementation on SOPs would ensure among passengers from Quetta to Peshawar,” Divisional Superintendent Quetta Sameenullah Gandapur said, adding that the train service will remain open till May 30th.
“Following Eid ul Fitar and request of masses, Pakistan Railways has resumed train operation in order to impart traveling facilities to passengers stranded here during the coronavirus lockdown.” DS Quetta further said.
Pakistan Railways had planned to operate 15 up and 15 down trains in the first phase including Khyber Mail and Awam Express trains ( between Peshawar and Karachi), Jaffar Express (Quetta and Peshawar) , Tezgam , Green Line and Pakistan Express trains ( Karachi and Rawalpindi) , Mehar Express ( Multan and Rawalpindi), Subbak Raftar and Islamabad Exress ( between Lahore and Rawalpindi). Pak Business, Karakorum Express and Shah Hussain Express (between Lahore and Karachi), Millat Express (Karachi and Lalamusa), Allama Iqbal Express (Karachi and Sialkot ) and Sukhur Express (Jacobabad and Karachi).
The booking would be closed after 60 per cent of occupancy in the trains, while booking for the trains would be done only through online ticketing service, and booking offices would remain closed.
Railways management appealed to the passengers to follow the SOPs and maintain distance with others and travel only when needed with limited number of passengers.
Passengers have been directed to reach the station at least an hour before their train departs. Moreover, passengers have been told not to bring families to see them off to prevent an unnecessary rush at the station.
