ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways is all set to restart Green Line Passenger Train operations between Islamabad and Karachi in mid-January to facilitate passengers and generate revenues.

The train comprises two AC parlour, five AC business, six AC standards and four to five economy class coaches, an official in the Ministry of Railways told this news agency.

He said the decision was taken on the directives of Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, who wanted best arrangements for the travelers.

The official said the minister also directed the officials concerned for

reducing the travel time of the Green Line from Lahore to Karachi to less than 20 hours.

It was also decided to provide facilities in the Green Line, including the provision of high quality food and keeping the ticket price at an affordable level.

Besides, a separate LCD will be installed on each seat of the AC parlour, he added.

The Green Line Train had been scheduled to start operations from December 20 last year but due to some financial and other issues now it would start operations from mid-January.

To a question, the official said Pakistan Railways was also going to expedite work to improve services in the passenger trains as well as at the major railway stations by involving the private sector which would help address growing issues, especially related to cleanliness.

The department was of the view that cleanliness-related services in trains and at major stations, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Karachi, Rawalpindi, Quetta, Peshawar, Khanewal, Sukkur, Sahiwal, Multan, and Bahawalpur were not satisfactory.

He said if services of the private sector were hired under a fast-track policy, the hygiene conditions at stations and in trains could be improved which would also restore the confidence of passengers in the department.

The official said the minister also asked the officials to accelerate efforts to bring uniformity in the design and signboards of stalls at the major railway stations.

The official said the government was taking several steps to improve the performance of the railways.

Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2023