BAHAWALPUR, June 2 Pakistan Railway on Tuesday restored the Bahawalpur stopover of Shalimar Express (27-Up, 28-Down) running between Lahore and Karachi following public pressure.

The railway had abandoned the stopover on April 15 with the enforcement of the new timetable. The train will have a two-minute stopover here.

PPP leader and deputy attorney general (DAG) Khan Mohammad Husain Azad, in collaboration with Punjab JI amir ex-MPA Dr Syed Waseem Akhtar organised a function at Bahawalpur railway station to mark the inaugural stopover of Shalimar Express.

Talking to the media, Muhammad Husain Azad said the federal government would continue to serve masses and the restoration of the stopover was a clear proof of it. He expressed the hope that the stopover of Karakoram Express would also be restored.

The people gathered at the railway station demanded restoration of previous reservation quota for seats and berths in all economy and AC classes in the Shalimar Express.

PRISONERS ESCAPED Two under-trial prisoners -- Shehzad and Ghulam Rasool - involved in a dacoity case managed their escape from district court premises here on Tuesday. Sadar police said a case against 15 policemen, including ASI Mehboob, had been registered and 13 of them arrested.

SHOT DEAD Three armed men allegedly shot dead a property dealer -- Sheikh Arshad (28) -- in One Unit Colony here on Monday night.

The motive behind the murder could not be ascertained.