QUETTA: In a move prioritizing passenger safety, Pakistan Railways has announced the suspension of the key Jaffar Express train service for a period of four days. The decision, effective from November 9 to 12, impacts travel between Quetta and Peshawar and is attributed to critical repair work on a bridge recently damaged by an explosion, coupled with prevailing security concerns.
The suspension affects the train’s service in both directions. The Jaffar Express, which normally connects the provincial capitals of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, will not operate from Quetta to Peshawar or from Peshawar to Quetta during this window. Railway officials confirmed that the primary reason for the halt is to facilitate urgent and extensive repairs on the damaged bridge, ensuring the structure is completely safe for train operations before services resume.
The decision underscores the administration’s focus on passenger safety above all else. The incident that damaged the bridge highlights the ongoing security challenges in the region, and the suspension period will allow for both the physical restoration of the infrastructure and a thorough assessment of the security situation along the route.
In light of the disruption, railway authorities have moved to address the inconvenience caused to the public. They have announced that all passengers who had pre-booked travel for the affected dates will be eligible for a full refund of their ticket fare. This gesture is intended to mitigate the financial impact on travelers whose plans have been disrupted. Passengers are advised to contact railway reservation offices for further details on the refund process. Authorities have assured that every effort is being made to complete the repairs within the stipulated four-day period to restore this vital transportation link at the earliest.
Meanwhile the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) conducted a successful raid in Quetta this past Saturday, leading to the arrest of two individuals allegedly operating a large-scale, unlicensed currency exchange and hawala ring. The operation resulted in the seizure of a substantial amount of local and foreign cash, striking a blow to underground financial activities in the provincial capital.
