ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways (PR) has shared plans to bring in new Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) trains, this is part of an effort to update the country’s train system.
As per the media report, the DMU trains will offer a better travel experience with air-conditioned coaches and the ability to go up to 160 km/h. They will mainly run between Lahore, Lalamusa, and Rawalpindi, making trips faster and more comfortable.
Senior railway officials presented the idea to Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi in Islamabad. The project will work through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), where a private investor will handle all costs, including buying and maintaining the trains.
Pakistan Railways will provide the tracks, oversee operations, and help with approvals while also working to improve the railway lines.
Report Say, this plan supports the government’s goal to improve Pakistan’s railways and connect major cities better, the DMU trains will make travel easier, cut down trip times, and help the area’s economy grow.
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Each DMU train can carry 380 passengers and is designed to be air-conditioned for a quicker, more pleasant journey. This is one way Pakistan Railways is trying to offer better, more reliable train services.
Pakistan Railways also plans to team up with the Punjab government to boost the economy and improve infrastructure.
In an other news, Federal Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi has promised Rs5.2 million in compensation for the families of those killed in the recent Jaffar Express train attack in Balochistan. He also offered jobs in his ministry for the victims’ children.
The attack started when terrorists from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) attacked the train heading to Peshawar with 440 passengers. They fired guns and took hostages.
Security forces responded with a two-day operation that ended on Wednesday evening. Lt Gen Chaudhry said all 33 terrorists were stopped, and no hostages were hurt during the final rescue. He added that this event had shifted how things will be handled moving forward.
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The operation, which took more than 36 hours, saved 354 passengers. Sadly, 26 hostages died, including 18 military and Frontier Corps members, three railway workers, and five civilians.
Five security personnel also lost their lives. Of the rescued hostages, 37 were injured and are now in hospitals, so the number of casualties might increase.
At a press conference in Lahore, Abbasi shared the compensation details, saying, “We’ve set a railway package of Rs5.2 million for each family of the victims, and if they have children, we’ll try to give them jobs in the railway service.”
