LAHORE, June 17: The Pakistan Railway plans to start nine trains during the next three years using new locomotives and coaches being purchased from China.

Railway officials say the new trains will originate from Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad.

A train each will run between Lahore and Karachi, Faisalabad and Karachi and Rawalpindi and Karachi and three each between Lahore and Faisalabad and Lahore and Rawalpindi.

The first of these trains will start running between Lahore and Karachi on Aug 14 as coaches and locomotives for the purpose will reach Pakistan next month. In the first phase, the train will run on alternate days. By December this year, with the arrival of more coaches and locomotives from China, it will start operating daily.

From June 24, the Tipu Sultan Express running between Multan and Rawalpindi via Lahore will be limited to the Lahore-Rawalpindi sector. For the Lahore-Multan sector a new non-stop train, Shah Shams Express, will be introduced.

Railway officials denied a report that Tipu Sultan’s stoppage at Gujranwala railway station had been abolished.

Meanwhile, PR general manager Iqbal Samad Khan opened on Monday the Summer Special that will run between Lahore and Karachi thrice a week during the vacation.

It will stop at Sahiwal, Khanewal, Rohri, Nawabshah and Hyderabad.

The train will leave from Lahore on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and from Karachi on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The railway management says it is meant primarily for students travelling from one part of the country to another during the vacation.

The train will comprise 16 economy-class coaches —- 14 for passengers and two for guards and a power van.

The train is meant for students who will be given 50 per cent discount in fare.