Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi has announced the restoration of train services in Balochistan.

Speaking at a press conference in Quetta, he said that the Jaffar Express would depart from Peshawar to Quetta on Thursday at 7:30am and from Quetta to Peshawar on Friday.

So far, 40 passengers have booked tickets for the train departing from Peshawar.

Additionally, a special Eid train will be launched. In the first phase, 500 railway personnel will be recruited.

Addressing the recent attack on the Jaffar Express, Abbasi condemned the act and vowed that the terrorists responsible will be pursued and eliminated even beyond the country’s borders.

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He confirmed that train operations in Balochistan would now run seven days a week instead of just two.

Expressing sorrow over the tragic incident, he acknowledged the global condemnation of the attack and stated that local elements had facilitated the act.

Abbasi emphasised that innocent children, women, young men, and the elderly were targeted, but security forces acted swiftly to save passengers. He denounced ethnic and provincial divides, stressing that the enemy’s plans will not succeed.

During his visit, Abbasi inspected the Jaffar Express, which was damaged in the terrorist attack, and received a briefing from the Divisional Superintendent of Railways on the restoration efforts.

Train operations had been suspended for 15 days following the March 11 attack on the Jaffar Express.

The closure of routes has also severely impacted road travel, forcing travelers to endure journeys that previously took hours but now span days.

Meanwhile, alternative transport costs have skyrocketed. Fares for Karachi-bound buses via the Bolan route have surged from Rs4,000 to Rs7,000-8,000, while airfares have climbed to Rs70,000-80,000 for a one-way ticket.

The crisis has also disrupted food supplies, causing artificial price hikes and further burdening citizens.

Internet services in Quetta have remained suspended for the past five days, severing communication with the rest of the country.

With roads inaccessible and rail services yet to be fully restored, travel has become an ordeal, leaving passengers stranded without viable options.