RAWALPINDI: The Safari Tourist Train of Pakistan Railways, which has been launched to promote culture and beauty of Potohar region, rolled out from Golra station to Attock Khurd on Sunday.

Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani accompanied by Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati inaugurated the tourist train at the Golra railway station.

The train will ferry tourists from Golra to Hassanabdal, Attock Khurd and Attock city and surrounding areas every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The journey ends at the historic Attock Khurd station after passing through Golra, Taxila, Hassanabdal and Attock city railway stations.

Train to operate on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays; Pakistan Railways can play key role to promote tourism, Senate chairman says

Tourists will experience travelling through beautiful landscape of Potohar, consisting of Margallah Hills, Sangjani tunnel and many bridges like Chablal Bridge, Haro Bridge, Ghazi Borotha and Attock Khurd bridges.

The safari train will also pass through the old iron girder bridge on the Indus between Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

The inaugural function was held at the Golra railway junction which was constructed in 1882. Pakistan Railways has also constructed a museum at the station.

Talking to newsmen and the Golra station and later at Attock Khurd, the Senate chairman said the launch of the safari train was important for promotion of the culture and beauty of the country.

He said it would be a source of recreational activities and promotion of tourism. Such trains should be started in other areas of the country and Pakistan Railways could play a leading role in promoting the scenic beauty and culture of the country.

He said promotion of tourism was the responsibility of every individual, adding development of any country was linked with tourism.

Minister Azam Swati said the objective of the train was to promote the culture, civilisation and heritage of the country.

“It is my priority to end corruption in Pakistan Railways. I will eliminate all black sheep from the organisation and make it profitable,” he said.

He added that freight trains would also be started soon. Keeping in view the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistan Railways would work to promote tourism in the country, he added.Later, the Senate chairman along with the minister and senators Taj Mohammad Afridi, Sajjad Hussain Turi, Mirza Mohammad Afridi, Aurangzeb Orakzai, Naseebullah Baazi and Dilawar Khan left for Attock Khurd on board the safari train. — Additional reporting by Amjad Iqbal

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2021