Preparations Complete for Resumption of Train Service from Quetta After Jaffer Express Tragedy

Quetta: Preparations have been completed for the resumption of train services from Quetta following the tragic incident of Jaffer Express. Federal Minister for Railways, Hanif Abbasi, visited Quetta Railway Station to review the arrangements.

According to the spokesperson for Pakistan Railways, Federal Minister Hanif Abbasi arrived in Quetta and toured the railway station, where he also inspected the Jaffer Express, which had been affected by the terrorist attack. The Minister was briefed by the Divisional Superintendent (DS) of Railways about the restoration of the train service.

The spokesperson added that all preparations for resuming train services from Quetta have been finalized. Minister Hanif Abbasi also assessed the ongoing arrangements at the station.

It is worth noting that following the attack on the Jaffer Express traveling from Quetta to Peshawar on March 11, the railway services have been suspended for the past 15 days. The closure of routes and the unsafe travel conditions have also made bus journeys extremely difficult. What should have been a few hours’ travel has turned into days, causing immense hardship for commuters.

Meanwhile, the fares for vehicles taking alternative routes to Karachi have been increased, with the cost of traveling via the Bolan route rising from 4,000 to 7-8,000 rupees. The one-way flight fare has surged to 70-80 thousand rupees.

The closure of routes has also caused a food supply crisis, with artificial inflation hitting the residents hard. Fruits, vegetables, and goods coming from outside the region have become more expensive.

Moreover, internet services have been suspended in Quetta for the past five days, severing the city’s connection with the rest of the country. With road access either blocked or difficult, and no resumption of rail services, air travel has become unaffordable for the common person. Passengers are left with no reliable or affordable travel options, making their journey a difficult test.