Schedule changes aim to improve efficiency and address current infrastructure challenges
Pakistan Railways has introduced a revised train schedule for the winter season, which came into effect on Thursday. The updated timetable includes minor changes to the departure times of 16 trains, the reinstatement of previously suspended services and adjustments to routes affected by recent flooding.
The schedule changes are designed to improve operational efficiencies while addressing current infrastructure challenges. Four previously suspended trains have been reintroduced under the new timetable, and nine trains which were previously temporarily stopped will now have regular stops at designated stations.
Among the changes, the Allama Iqbal Express will now depart from Sialkot at 7:30 am instead of 7:00 am earlier. The Awam Express will leave Karachi at 8:00 am instead of 7:30 am.
The departure of the Narowal passenger train has been revised to 7:25 am from 7:00 am, while the Faiz Ahmad Faiz passenger train will now leave Narowal at 5:00 am, earlier than its previous schedule of 5:30 am. The Shalimar Express is now scheduled to depart from Lahore at 7:10 am instead of 7:30 am.
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Nine trains benefited from permanent stops in place of their temporary stops. These include Rehman Baba Express, Karachi Express, Shalimar Express, Jaffar Express, Pak Business Express, Pakpattan Express, Tezgam and Millat Express.
Damage to railway tracks caused by flooding has led to further adjustments, especially for trains departing or arriving from Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Rawalpindi and other major cities. The Karakoram Express, operating as 42-Down, will depart from Lahore at the scheduled time of 3:00 p.m. and pass through Sahiwal.
The Pak Business Express (34-Down) will leave Lahore at 4:30 p.m. as per the scheduled time. However, the Karachi Express (16-Down) will depart 45 minutes later than usual, now scheduled for 6:45 p.m. instead of 6:00 p.m. The green line (6-Down) to Karachi will depart from Lahore at 8:50 p.m. according to its usual schedule. Passengers of the Shah Hussain Express (44-Down) will be accommodated on the Green Line today and are requested to arrive one hour before its departure to ensure smooth boarding.
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Several other trains will also be diverted due to sections damaged by flooding. Pakistan Express (46-Down) to Karachi and Pakistan Express (45-Up) from Karachi will pass through the Lahore-Sahiwal section. The Millat Express (18-Down), departing from Faisalabad at 2:00 p.m., will pass through Chak Jhumra, Sangla Hill and Lahore-Sahiwal. The Rehman Baba Express (48-Down) to Karachi and its return service (47-Up) will also follow the Lahore-Sahiwal route. The Millat Express (17-Up), originating from Karachi, will pass through Sahiwal – Lahore, Sangla Hill, Chak Jhumra and Faisalabad.
All other trains serving Karachi, Rawalpindi and other cities are running as per their scheduled schedules.
To assist travelers, passenger facilitation staff will remain available at the station 24 hours a day, following the instructions of Divisional Superintendent of Railways, Lahore, Inamullah. Passengers seeking further advice or updates are advised to contact the railway inquiry numbers at 042-117 or 042-99070011.
