Qaseem Shah:Â
Quetta, March 28: After a 17-day suspension, train services in Balochistan have resumed, bringing relief to passengers who had been struggling with high airfare and limited travel options. The Jaffar Express departed from Quetta Railway Station with 400 passengers aboard, marking the restoration of railway operations in the province.
Speaking to the media at the station, Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Balochistan General Secretary and Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Jamal Shah Kakar welcomed the resumption of train services, calling it a positive step for the poor and middle-class travelers.
He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi for approving the launch of eight more trains in addition to Jaffar Express, further enhancing connectivity in Balochistan.
Kakar highlighted that due to the railway shutdown, private airlines had been charging exorbitant fares, making travel unaffordable for many. He also noted that security concerns had already discouraged road travel, leaving passengers with limited and costly options. Criticizing the exploitation by private airlines, he vowed to raise the issue with the Prime Minister and in the National Assembly to ensure fair pricing for air travel.
He reaffirmed his commitment to improving transportation facilities for the people of Balochistan, stating that restoring and expanding railway services had been a key demand raised in the Standing Committee on Railways. With the new trains set to operate soon, he hoped for better, safer, and more affordable travel options for the province’s residents.
