Quetta – The only passenger train running between Karachi and Quetta, the Bolan Mail, has once again been cancelled. The train scheduled to depart from Quetta for Karachi on 2 October will not operate.
According to railway officials, the Bolan Mail that was due to arrive in Quetta on 1 October had already been cancelled on 30 September from Karachi. Officials said the cancellation was due to low passenger turnout.
As a result, the train could not arrive in Quetta on Wednesday, leading to the cancellation of its scheduled return service to Karachi on Thursday.
Reports further indicate that over the past two weeks, the Bolan Mail has only once managed to travel as far as Jacobabad before being turned back, while on all other days the service was cancelled entirely.
Public circles in Balochistan expressed concern, recalling that the Federal Minister for Railways had announced in March that the Bolan Mail would operate daily.
However, even after six months, the train is still running only twice a week, causing difficulties for passengers travelling between Karachi and Quetta.
In recent months, train operations in Balochistan have been repeatedly disrupted due to a surge in militant attacks targeting railway infrastructure and passenger trains.
Insurgent groups have carried out sabotage by planting explosives on railway tracks, targeting bridges, and at times firing on trains, creating serious security challenges for Pakistan Railways.
These attacks have not only damaged vital infrastructure but also forced frequent suspensions of passenger services, particularly on the Quetta–Karachi and Quetta–Sibi routes.
The Bolan Mail, already operating on a limited schedule, has been among the most affected services.
Railway officials argue that both security threats and low passenger turnout have made it difficult to continue regular operations.
Public representatives in Balochistan, however, view the repeated suspensions as negligence towards the province’s transportation needs, especially when alternative and affordable travel options are scarce.
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The deteriorating security environment combined with inconsistent railway services has further deepened the sense of isolation felt by many residents of the province.
