RAWALPINDI – Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi has restored services to two suspended trains to improve passenger facilities.
He said the Babu Passenger Train and Sandal Express will be restored after two weeks. The Babu Passenger Train, operating between Lahore and Lala Musa, will restart from August 20.
The Sandal Express, which runs from Multan to Sargodha via Jhang, will resume operations from August 21.
Both train services had been suspended during the coronavirus pandemic and remained inactive since then.
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi said the decision to restore the trains was taken in response to the public demand.
Train operations between Lahore and Faisalabad have been temporarily suspended after heavy rains and floodwaters damaged a railway bridge near Qila Sattar Shah, affecting railway infrastructure in the area.
According to railway officials, the section between Qila Sheikhupura and Massan was impacted due to intense rainfall and flooding, prompting authorities to halt train movement on the Lahore-Faisalabad route as a precautionary measure.
Earlier this month, Pakistan Railways announced changes to the routes of several trains, while some services have been temporarily cancelled due to the disruption.
Officials said the 41 Up/42 Down Karakoram Express and 27 Up/28 Down Shalimar Express will operate through an alternative route via Raiwind, Sahiwal and Khanewal instead of Faisalabad.
Passengers of Karakoram Express train 42 Down will be accommodated on the 18 Down Millat Express from Faisalabad, according to railway authorities.
The Mianwali Express operating between Lahore and Sargodha will also run through an alternate route via Wazirabad and Lala Musa.
Meanwhile, the 111 Up/112 Down Badr Express and 113 Up/114 Down Ghouri Express have been temporarily cancelled.
