Pakistan Railways cancelled multiple major train services from Karachi, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and further exposing operational challenges within the country’s rail network.
According to officials, 11 trains scheduled to depart from Karachi to several major cities were abruptly cancelled due to technical faults and plant-related issues affecting operations.
The cancellations disrupted travel plans for passengers heading to destinations including Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Lahore, and Multan, many of whom had already arrived at railway stations before learning that services had been suspended.
Passengers Left Stranded at Stations
The sudden decision caused widespread frustration among travellers. Many passengers waited for hours at stations hoping services would resume, before eventually returning home after receiving confirmation that the trains would not depart.
Passengers complained about the lack of timely communication and the inconvenience caused by the last-minute cancellations, particularly for those traveling long distances.
Major Express Trains Suspended
Several prominent long-distance trains were among those cancelled for the day. These included:
- Rehman Baba Express
- Pakistan Express
- Karakoram Express
- Allama Iqbal Express
- Business Express
- Mehran Express
- Millat Express
- Tezgam
- Karachi Express
- Khushhal Khan Khattak Express
- Fareed Express
- Zakaria Express
The suspension of such key routes significantly disrupted travel across Pakistan’s main rail corridors.
Technical Issues Behind the Disruption
Railway officials attributed the cancellations to plant faults and technical problems affecting operational capacity. Authorities said the situation would be reviewed, and a decision regarding the restoration of services would be taken after assessing the issues.
Officials expressed hope that services could resume once the technical problems are resolved, allowing trains to return to their regular schedules.
Ongoing Challenges for Pakistan Railways
The latest cancellations highlight broader challenges facing Pakistan Railways, including aging infrastructure, locomotive shortages, and maintenance issues.
These operational difficulties have repeatedly caused service disruptions, raising concerns about the reliability of the country’s rail transport system, particularly during peak travel periods such as the upcoming Eid al-Fitr season.