Pakistan Railways carrying 81 million passengers a Year
By Shoaib Jabbar 'Pakistan Times' Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways is carrying 81 million passengers across the country every year, said Managing Director Pakistan Railways Ashfaq Khattak on Tuesday. Talking to PTV, he said railway is the backbone of any economy, but unfortunately this sector was not given due priority in the past.

However, this government has given it due importance and have started to invest in this important component of the country's infrastructure, he added.

He said railways plays a very vital role in the bulk transportation of passengers and freight.

The current economic growth of seven percent cannot be sustained without a strong railway network in the country, he added.

The Managing Director said newly inaugurated Jinnah Express will travel from Rawalpindi to Karachi with stops in Lahore, Multan and Hyderabad.

The train is air conditioned and has the capacity to accommodate 540 persons and will take 20 hours to reach its destination.

The fare is fixed at Rs. 2000 and this fast train will meet the demand of the growing middle class.

The new train will be attractive for airline passengers who pay Rs. 12500 for a one way trip to Karachi. Dining car services are being provided in the train, he added.●