QUETTA: The Jafar Express train on Friday resumed service from Quetta after a 17-day suspension following a deadly terrorist attack earlier this month.
After 17 days, the Jafar Express left Quetta for Peshawar Cantt. The train carried 400 passengers in 10 coaches. The Jafar Express from Peshawar is also on its way to Quetta.
Yesterday, the Jafar Express train carrying 280 passengers departed from Peshawar for Quetta. Federal Minister Amir Muqam sent off the train.
MNA Jamal Shah Kakar thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for restoring the train service. He also thanked the Federal Minister for Railways, Hanif Abbasi.
He said that the Bolan Mail from Quetta, previously running three days a week, will now operate daily. Kakar said the restored service benefits both passengers and traders.
Kakar announced plans to meet the Prime Minister to discuss rising airfares. He wants better monitoring of all airlines operating from Quetta.
The Jafar Express departed under tight security. Authorities conducted full passenger searches before departure. Security personnel were also deployed inside the train.
It is pertinent to mention here that on March 11, the banned BLA attacked the Jafar Express and took passengers hostage. Security forces, in response, launched a two-day operation and killed all the terrorists.
The attack on Jafar Express killed 26 passengers and injured 40.
