KARACHI: There were happy and motivational national songs playing at the Cantonment Railway Station, where Platform Number One was pleasantly decorated with green and white balloons.

The occasion was Pakistan Railways’ up-gradation services for two of its most popular trains, the Allama Iqbal Express and Tezgam, which were inaugurated here on Monday.

The extreme hot weather saw Allama Iqbal Express, which runs between Karachi and Sialkot, getting a new air-conditioned (AC) standard coach while the Rawalpindi-bound Tezgam got a new dining car.

The AC Standard Allama Iqbal Express coach had both sitting and sleeper seats in green where the passengers were seated comfortably ahead of their departure.

Named the ‘Premium Lounge Dining Car’, it was a luxurious experience to try out the comfortable red velvet seating of the Orient Express-inspired dining car in Tezgam. The ceiling of the dining car, which was also air-conditioned, and equipped with an LED TV, was decorated with mirrors and appliqué work. At one end, there was also a washbasin to wash hands before getting down to dining.

The menu, too, was extensive with local, Chinese and continental dishes. Each waiter was properly dressed with maroon aprons. Each table had the proper cutlery and crockery, which was set to perfection and according to the eating etiquette.

Divisional Superintendent Karachi Mohammed Nasir Khalili, Deputy Divisional Superintendent Ashfaq Tabassum and Divisional Commercial Officer Sabah Jabeen along with several senior officers of Pakistan Railways were present at the inauguration.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2024