Quetta train service resumes today

QUETTA: Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi announced on Wednesday the resumption of rail service between Quetta and the rest of the country from March 27 (today), which was suspended after armed terrorists hijacked Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express and took over 400 passengers hostage in Mashkaf area of Kachhi district.

Speaking at a press Conference during his visit to Quetta along with Chairman Railways Mazhar Shah, CEO Amir Baloch and Divisional Superintendent Quetta Imran Hayat, the minister said Jaffar Express will leave for Quetta from Peshawar on Thursday and will depart from Quetta to its destination on March 28. He said a special Eid train will also leave for Peshawar on March 29.

The railway minister said Bolan Mail, which was running twice a week between Quetta and Karachi, will now be run on daily basis. Besides, he added, all the nine trains which were connecting Balochistan with the rest of the country in the past will also be restored in order to provide best travelling facilities to the people.

Abbasi said there were security issues at some railway stations but the railway was taking measures to ensure safe journey to the people and in this regard 500 new personnel will be recruited in the Railways Police to strengthen security of trains and railway stations. He added that 70 per cent of recruitment of the personnel will be made from Balochistan in the first phase, and in the second phase 1,000 more personnel would be inducted in the Railways Police.

Referring to the Jaffar Express tragic incident, the minister said it was a big tragedy, which was widely condemned across the world. He said local facilitation was provided to the terrorists who targeted women, elderly people and youths. “Security forces saved the lives of the people by conducting operation with technical expertise,” he said, adding: “I salute our military Jawans and other security forces, who got freed hundreds of passengers from the terrorists who were taken hostage in the train.”

He said the state had decided at all levels to fight against terrorism in all forms to ensure safety of the people and the country.