The Sir Syed Express, a new passenger train service connecting Rawalpindi to Karachi, was inaugurated today. The first train departed for Karachi and is expected to reach its destination in 24 hours.

The inauguration ceremony was conducted by DS Railway, Nooruddin Dawar. The Sir Syed Express, consisting of 16 coaches, will run from Rawalpindi via Jhelum, Gujrat, Wazirabad, Sangla Hill, Faisalabad, Khanewal, Rohri, and Hyderabad before reaching Karachi.

The train is being operated under a public-private partnership model.

According to railway officials, the train features one AC sleeper, three AC business, and one AC standard coach. It also includes eight economy coaches and a dining car. The private company operating the train will provide food services. Special arrangements have been made to ensure water supply and cleanliness on board.

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Passengers will have access to free Wi-Fi, and tickets can be purchased online through mobile applications. The Sir Syed Express is expected to generate an annual revenue of approximately 3 billion rupees for Pakistan Railways.

CEO Railways, Aamir Baloch, stated that the public-private partnership model will promote self-reliance and increase revenue. He further revealed that ten more trains will be launched under this model in the coming month.