PESHAWAR: The business community has appreciated the federal government’s decision to restart Khushal Khan Khattak Express train from April 25, and demanded operating special export cargo trains from Peshawar to strengthen national economy.

In a statement issued here on Saturday, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s vice-president Ziaul Haq Sarhadi said Khushal Khan Khattak Express was suspended in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and flash floods.

He said the train had to cover a total distance of 1,512 kilometres while the duration of journey was about 34 hours.

Mr Sarhadi, who is also the senior vice-president of Pak-Afghan Joint Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said some ‘black sheep’ in Pakistan Railways had conspired to thwart cargo and passenger trains from Peshawar and thus succeeded in their designs.

He asked the federal minister for railways to take strict action against such elements in the department and immediately take steps to run cargo trains from the provincial capital.

Mr Sarhadi, who is also chairman of SCCI standing committee on railways and dry port, said it’s a good news that a unique and historic train of Pakistan Railways – Khushal Khan Khattak Express – was once again going to run on its journey from April 25.

“This is the only express train that connects important cities like Larkana, Dadu, Kot Addu, Layyah, Mianwali, Bhakkar and Dera Ghazi Khan directly to Karachi and Peshawar. It has full economy class, and comfortable seats for passengers for long journeys,” Mr Sarhadi said.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2025