Pakistan Railways has decided to extend its ban on passenger train operations till April 24 amid coronavirus threat.
Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, on Monday, announced that all the passenger trains operation of Pakistan Railways would remain suspended till April 24.
“Train services that we wanted to resume from April 15 have been pushed back to April 25,” he said.
Federal Minister further stated that the ban on train operations will once again be reviewed before Ramzan, and the decision to resume train operation or extend the suspension will then be unanimously taken after consulting with Prime Minister Imran Khan and all the stakeholders.
However, freight trains will continue their operations which are essential for the country’s economy and is responsible for transportation for ration goods and essential medical equipment and supplies amid COVID-19 lockdown in the country.
“Train services will remain suspended until the night of April 24. Cargo trains will continue to remain functional,” he noted.
Earlier, Sheikh Rasheed had declared that lockdown is costing Pakistan Railways Rs 1 billion per week.
Back in March, Pakistan Railways had also established a special quarantine train at the Karachi’s Cantt Station. A total of five carriages were joined to make 36 isolated beds for the suspected patients of the novel coronavirus and another 30-bed quarantine center of the Pakistan Railways was established at the Hassan Railway Hospital near the Cantt Station.
