Pakistan’s Railways Minister, Hanif Abbasi, has announced the full restoration of train operations from Quetta Railway Station in Balochistan province, set for March 28. The Jaffar Express, which was hijacked by militants earlier this month, will recommence its journey to Peshawar starting tomorrow.
On March 12, the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) attacked the Jaffar Express, detonating explosives on the tracks and holding passengers hostage in a remote mountain pass. The incident resulted in the deaths of 31 individuals, including soldiers, staff, and civilians.
Addressing the security challenges faced by railway facilities in Balochistan, Abbasi acknowledged the current limitations in the Railway Police Force. To enhance security, the ministry plans to recruit 500 soldiers into the Pakistan Railway Police, with 70% of the new positions allocated to Balochistan. Additionally, new security strategies are being developed in collaboration with the Frontier Corps and other law enforcement agencies.
In anticipation of the upcoming Eid celebrations, Abbasi also announced the launch of a special Eid train from Quetta Railway Station, ensuring stringent security measures for passengers. He expressed optimism about improving passenger safety in Balochistan and noted that all damaged carriages of the Jaffar Express have been repaired, with new carriages to be introduced in train operations from the province.
