Jaffar Express resumes service after 16-day suspension

The Jaffar Express, which was targeted in a terrorist attack near Bolan in Balochistan, is back on track after a hiatus of 16 days.

The passenger train on Thursday departed from Peshawar Cantonment Railway Station, where federal minister Amir Muqam and railways officials saw the travellers off.

The Jaffar Express will pass through Punjab, Sindh, and then enter Balochistan, covering a 34-hour journey to reach Quetta by Friday evening. As many as 280 passengers have made reservations for the journey, with 28 passengers leaving from Peshawar.

It is the only train that passes through all the four provinces of the country.

The Jaffar Express was attacked by terrorists on March 11, which led to the suspension of the train service. Security forces had killed all the 33 terrorists in the operation while 26 passengers lost their lives in the attack.

Speaking at the train departure ceremony, Muqam stated that it was a desire of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to restore the Jaffar Express service to Quetta, and now the train had commenced its journey from Peshawar.

He said PM Shehbaz and Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir were determined to ensure the security of the country. The nefarious designs of terrorists would be foiled, he added.

Amir Muqam also highlighted the determination of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the fight against terrorism, stating that the battle against the scourge of terrorism would continue until its elimination. Terrorism was a national issue, he said, and everyone must unite to defeat it.

The federal minister criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), stating the opposition party’s movements were not aimed at the development of the country and province but to seize control of Islamabad. He remarked there was no consistency in the PTI’s policies.

Muqam said the repatriation of Afghan refugees was unavoidable and it would be implemented with caution.

from Latest Pakistan News - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/qYcZwUF