Pakistan Railways (PR) is set to launch two special trains aimed at facilitating Sikh pilgrims for their annual religious event in Nankana Sahib. The first train will depart from Karachi on November 12 at 10:30 PM, while an additional shuttle train will leave Larkana at midnight, merging with the main train at Rohri station. This strategic arrangement is designed to provide seamless travel for pilgrims coming from various regions. The second train will depart from Nankana Sahib on November 16 at 4:00 PM, with a corresponding shuttle train from Rohri to Larkana for the return leg. These initiatives highlight PR’s commitment to accommodating religious gatherings and enhancing passenger convenience.
In parallel, PR launched a special service on November 4 to support participants of the Tablighi Jamaat. Departing from Karachi to Raiwind, this service underscores PR’s ongoing efforts to expand its offerings and serve diverse passenger needs.
Economic Boost and Service Improvements
The Ministry of Railways aims to generate approximately 8.5 million rupees from the newly introduced train services, contributing towards its ambitious revenue goal of over 100 billion rupees for the fiscal year 2024-25. This comes after PR reported record earnings of 88 billion rupees in the 2023-24 fiscal year, a 40% increase over the previous year and well above the initial target of 73 billion rupees. The revenue was driven by ticket sales, which amassed 47 billion rupees, freight services contributing 28 billion rupees, and 13 billion rupees from leasing railway land and other streams.
Amir Ali Baloch, the CEO of Pakistan Railways, credited this financial milestone to improved services and passenger trust, noting that the Eid special trains achieved full bookings. Baloch’s remarks illustrate the positive response from the public and underscore PR’s commitment to service enhancement.
Support for Specially-Abled Passengers
In addition to special train services, Pakistan Railways has focused on supporting specially-abled individuals. In September, PR announced a 50% fare concession for persons with disabilities on all express and passenger trains. This discount is available upon the presentation of a computerized national identity card that includes a disability logo. The policy also extends to attendants of visually impaired passengers, who are eligible for the same fare reduction. This move aligns with PR’s broader goal of inclusive and accessible transportation for all segments of society.
These efforts not only reflect PR’s dedication to social responsibility but also align with its strategic goals of increasing passenger satisfaction and broadening revenue streams through improved accessibility and targeted services.
Pakistan Railways’ recent initiatives, including the launch of special trains for religious pilgrims and fare concessions for specially-abled passengers, underscore a renewed focus on service expansion and inclusivity. These measures, coupled with record revenue growth and strategic service improvements, position PR as a vital transport link catering to diverse community needs while supporting its financial objectives.