PESHAWAR, May 25 (DNA): Pakistan Railways here Monday launched a new Awam Express train service from Peshawar to Karachi.

The impressive inauguration ceremony was held at Peshawar Cantt Railway Station, where Secretary Ministry of Railways, Syed Mazhar Ali Shah, officially inaugurated the service.

Former Pakistani legend cricketer Shahid Khan Afridi also attended the event.

The upgraded Awam Express train is equipped with modern facilities, including eight air-conditioned coaches, comfortable seating, and other passenger amenities for facilitation of passengers.

The train has the capacity to accommodate 1,234 passengers. The first upgraded Awam Express departed from Peshawar for Karachi at 8:30 a.m. The train will travel via Rawalpindi, Lahore, Khanewal, Multan, Bahawalpur, Khanpur, Liaquatpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Sadiqabad, Dharki, Pano Aqil, Rohri, Nawabshah, Tando Adam, and Hyderabad before reaching Karachi.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Secretary Ministry of Railways Syed Mazhar Ali Shah said that passengers would be provided with modern travel facilities and welcomed travelers to experience the upgraded service of Pakistan Railways.

The Awam Express train service was a gift of Federal Govt for people of Khyber Pakthunkhwa and other provinces of Pakistan.

He added that the recent Quetta incident could not weaken the nation’s resolve, emphasizing that Pakistan Railways remains a symbol of national unity.

He said efforts would continue to further improve railway services and strengthen railway business operations.

Speaking at the ceremony, former Captain Shahid Afridi expressed sorrow over the loss of precious lives in yesterday Quetta terrorists incident and prayed for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks.

 He also congratulated Pakistan Railways on the launch of the new train service and mentioned that the Shahid Afridi Foundation had installed a water filtration plant at Cantt Station.

The passengers expressed jubilation over the new train service and improved facilities therein.

They thanked Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi and Federal Secretary for Railways Syed Mazhar Ali Shah for the start of Awam Express train service from Peshawar.

The passengers said it was a great gift of PMLN Govt for people of Khyber Pakthunkhwa.