REPORT OF RAILWAY

INTRODUCTION OF RAILWAY
— East India company came in 1861. And its is the largest project of
railway and that time so far.

— British makes Railway tracks to make their business better.

— After independence PAKISTAN take NWR (NORT WESTEN
RAILWAY) and Peshawar, Qutta, and Lahore is the main division
of railway.

— India gain EIR (EAST INDIAN RAILWAY) and its main division are
Madras , Ferozpur and Delhi.

— In entire world Railway is public utility service besides for

commercial purpose.

— There is no Railway in the world which is running in profit as

passengers train because man and material cost is too much.

— For profit purpose cargo trains are best

— Founded in 1861 and headquartered in Lahore, it owns 4,800

miles (7,791 km) of track across Pakistan from Torkham to
Karachi and operates freight and passenger service. Pakistan
Railways was also known as the Pakistan Western Railway from
1947 to 1974.
ABOUT TO KNOW

—Line loop = 120KM

—Side loop = 10KM
—Furled means to load luggage on train.
—Demurrage means to put down luggage on train.
—It is a law of Pakistan to clear the luggage from train or
from place within 6 hours otherwise it charged of
thousand of rupees per minute to ministry of Railway
and bear other losses.
—Lower part of train is called FARID.
 RTC
(Regional Training Center)
—Regional training center is located in LAHORE (WALTON) .
—In this center the Engineers came from all over the world
to get training about technical parts of Train.
 Difference between
Good and Bad time

• Back in 1971 Pakistan Railway Cargo • Now our Railway is unable to carry
Carries 5,000KG daily for trade 1,000KG in per day.
purpose .

• In 1971 75trains are travel Lahore to • Now Railways failed to run even 15
Faisalabad which was a record. trains.

• There are 75 trains Runs in Pakistan • Our political leader used to go in

24hours with only one structure of different countries for making
train design of Railway but the just for
their commission and don’t apply a
single Design
 SECOND DEFENCE OF LINE
—Railway work as second Defense of line in war of 1965
one hundred tanks and 115 Canon is transferred from
Katariyan to Lahore in just 1 hour 30 min. which plays
vital roll to resist Indian Army in the Bridge of BRB.
But unfortunately we cannot use Railway as second line
of defense because Torn out condition of Railway

Advantages by travelling
from train
—More Luggage
—Use time more Productively
—Safety First
—Best Value for Money
—Helping the Planet
 Disadvantages by travelling
from train
—Fixed Schedules
—On board Comfort
—Sharing your Space with Foreigners
—Slower
—Public Toilets

DRY PORT
—Dry port was open at a abaspor station to raslaval on
Jhumhra road when PARACHA was minister by it was hack
by trafic and it Railway bear a los of million of rupees.

Maintenance
—We have surplus in upper staff these high officers made
disadvantage departments Pracs and Ralicop . These
departments should be closed.
—Young drivers must be hired to drive a train.
—We have shortage in operating staff like gate man
indicators of trains. They should be hired.
—We have more Railway tracks then trains , quantity should
be equal.
—Police officers and other illegal mafia carry passengers
with out legal fared which is called leakage of revenue
should be check and balance

Ministry of Railway
—Formed in May 1st 1974 .
—Jurisction of Railway is Government of Pakistan.
—Headquarters in ISLAMABAD.
—500 million USD is annualy budget.
—Sheikh Rasheed is current minister of Railway of Pakistan.
—Sikandar Suktan Raja is a sectroy and cahirman and Farukh
Habib is parliamentary sectary.
 SAAD RAFIQUE
(PAKISTAN RAILWAY EX
MINISTER)
—Khawaja Saad Rafique is a Pakistani politician who has
been a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan since
October 2018.
—Before him the railway was earning 18 billion and loss was
33 billion in which last three years it increses the income
50 billion .
—There was no proper management in trains. Some
coaches of train 220 volts and other 110 volts.He maintain
it 185 volts to all train .
When Government gave him target 30 billion he earned 33
billion
 SHEIKH RASHEED
(CURRENT MINISTAR OF
RAILWAY)
—He is a Pakistani politician who is the current Federal
Minister for Railways, in office since 20 August 2018.
Ahmed has been a member of the National Assembly of
Pakistan since August 2018 and is the current leader of the
Awami Muslim League.
—Rashid said the main line-1(ML-1)project will reshape the
destiny of pakistan railways and will bring revolution in the
country economy it is likely that the financing agreement
for ML-1 will be signed between pakistan and china on
december -25.
—Pakistan and China Rillways are close to an agreement on
the project following the visit of a delegation of national
railways administration .Technical teams from both sides
have already completed their feasibility and evaluation
work.
 IMPROVEMENT
—We have uncounted fared(Lower part of train) that can
still work by making upper body new should be ready for
running on a track.
—Closing of unprofitable departments Pracs and Railloop.
—Unadvantge officers should be retired.
—Partnership with other companies.
—Earning money for Railway by advertisement.

VISION & MISSION AND

OBJECTES
—To achieve excellence in Engineering Services with special
emphasis on Railway Sector and to become an
international commercial company operating beyond
Pakistan’s borders.
—To lead the public and private sector in the engineering
disciplines including Railways by providing highest quality
and safety standards in an economical and efficient
manner
—To fulfill our company's vision, we will incorporate
professionalism, high ethical standards and innovative
business practices and systems. Our values are honesty,
integrity and fairness in dealing with all the stakeholders.
—How many railway station in Pakistan?

Giving details of the railway stations, he said

that Pakistan Railways will upgrade nine railway
stations in Punjab province, 12 in Sindh, five in
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, three in Balochistan and
one in Federal Capital.

—How many railway engines in Pakistan?

Pakistan Railways has a fleet of 448 Diesel Electric

locomotives, out of which 293 D.E locomotives are
operating on Railway tracks at present in the country
they added.

—total number of employees in pakistan

railway?

73276 number of employees in Pakistan

railway
—junction and railway station in Pakistan?

Preceding station Pakistan Railways Following station

Faisalabad Akbar
Terminus
toward Quetta Express

Shahdara Bagh
Kot Lakhpat Allama Junction
toward Karachi Iqbal
Express toward Sialkot
Cantonment
Junction

Kot Lakhpat Gujranwala

Awam
toward Karachi Express toward Peshawar
Cantonment Cantonment

Qila Sheikhupura
Badar Junction
Terminus
Express
toward Faisalabad

Lahore
Cantonment Fareed
Terminus
toward Karachi Express
City

Ghouri Qila Sheikhupura

Terminus
Express Junction
 toward Faisalabad

Raiwind Gujranwala
Junction Jaffar
Express toward Peshawar
toward Quetta Cantonment

Raiwind
Junction Karachi
Terminus
toward Karachi Express
Cantonment

Faisalabad
Karakoram
toward Karachi Terminus
Express
City

Kot Lakhpat Gujranwala

Khyber
toward Karachi Mail toward Peshawar
Cantonment Cantonment

Faisalabad Night
toward Karachi Coach Terminus
Cantonment Express

Rawal Gujranwala
Terminus
Express toward Rawalpindi
 Pakistan Landhi Junction
Terminus
Express toward Rawalpindi

Faisalabad
Shalimar
toward Karachi Terminus
Express
Cantonment

Subak Gujranwala
Terminus Kharam
Express toward Rawalpindi

Subak Gujranwala
Terminus Raftar
Express toward Rawalpindi

Kot Lakhpat
Gujranwala
toward Karachi Tezgam
toward Rawalpind
Cantonment
FACILITIES?
Lahore Junction Station is equipped with all basic facilities
such as ticketing services, restrooms, waiting areas, and
international fast food chains. The station has current and
advance reservation offices for Pakistan Railways, as well
as freight and parcel facilities. Retail shops are found
mainly on platforms 1 and 2, including restaurants such
as Pizza Hut and McDonald's, in addition to restaurants
offering Pakistani cuisine

NAME OF TRAINS IN
PAKISTAN?
1. Allama Iqbal Express (9 Up/10 Dn)
Named after the national poet of Pakistan, Mohammad Iqbal. The word 'Allama' means 'scholar'. The
train is so named because it has a Karachi-Sialkot route and Sialkot is the birth place of Allama Iqbal.

Interestingly, for atleast 40 years, Allama Iqbal Express was called 'Shaheen Express' (mid-1950s to
mid-1990s). The word 'Shaheen' means 'Falcon' in Urdu and Allama Iqbal in his poetry always referred
to falcon as a creature with high moral character (as it never eats a dead animal, lives high on the
mountains, etc.). The Shaheen Express also had a Karachi-Sialkot route via Faisalabad.

The Allama Iqbal express currently runs on the Karachi-Lahore-Sialkot route. Current accommodation
available on this train includes First Class Sleeper and Economy.

2. Awam Express (13 Up/14 Dn)

'Awam' means 'people' in Urdu, so this is the People's Express. It always had a Karachi-Peshawar
route, and now shares the honour of having the longest running route (1721km) in Pakistan along
 with the historic Khyber Mail. PR's first three-tier second class sleepers were introduced on the Awam
Express. Many politicians have used the Awam Express (fewer than have used the Khyber Mail,
though) to run their country-wide political campaigns. Accomodation available on this train is AC
Lower and Economy.

3. Badar Express (109 Up/110 Dn)

4. Ghauri Express (107 Up/108 Dn)
'Badar' means 'Moon' in Urdu. It runs Lahore - Faisalabad - Shorkot Cantt. Jn. (249km) in the Up
Direction and Faisalabad - Lahore (142km) in the Down Direction.

'Ghauri' Express is named after the first Muslim Ruler of India, Mohammad Ghauri, and has the same
route as the 'Badar Express'.

Accomodation on both trains is AC Parlour, and First Class Sitter. Both of these trains are unusual as
each has different Up and Down routes (which are, however complementary). The two trains share
rakes.

This 'rake sharing' works as follows:

 4:10 hrs: 108 Dn Ghauri Express starts its journey from Shorkot Cant Jn. It passes through
Faisalabad and continues towards Lahore.
 7:50 hrs: 108 Dn Ghauri Express reaches Lahore.
 9:15 hrs: 107 Up Ghauri Express starts its journey towards Faisalabd.
 11:00 hrs: 107 Up Ghauri Express reaches Faisalabad and terminates there, even though it had
originated from Shorkot Cant Jn in the morning.
 15:15 hrs: The rake of Ghauri Express now becomes the Badar Express and it starts its journey
towards Lahore as 110 Down.
 17:00 hrs: 110 Down Badar Express reaches Lahore.
 18:00 hrs: 109 Up Badar Express starts its journey towards Faisalabd. It does not terminate at
Faisalabad eventhough it had originated there, but continues towards Shorkot Cant Jn.
 21:40 hrs: 109 Up reaches Shorkot Cant Jn. The rake rests here overnight and the next morning
the whole cycle starts again.

5. Bahauddin Zakaria Express (25 Up/26 Dn)

This train has the 92km long Karachi City - Multan Cantt route.

Multan is one of the oldest living cities in Pakistan and a home to the shrines of many saints and
learned people. Bahauddin Zakaria (1182-1266) was one such saint who lived in Multan. Since this
train has Multan as one of its termini, it is named after him. The accomodation on this train include AC
Sleeper, First Class Sleeper and Economy.

6. Badin Express (307 Up/308 Dn)

Badin is the largest city south-east of Karachi with a population of ~70,000. Badin Express takes the
Kotri Jn - Hyderabad Jn - Badin route and is the only train that currently goes to Badin.

The Hyderabad - Badin track on which Badin Express plies was opened on Aug 15, 1904. The line was
later dismantled during World War I as the rails were needed elsewhere. In 1922 the track was rebuilt
to its present alignment. An extension of this line across or around the Rann of Kutch, to meet the
Bombay Baroda and Central India Railway and to afford through communication without break of
gauge from Sindh (Pakistan) to Bombay (India) was considered but never materialised.

Badin Express is currently an all Economy class train.

7. Bahawalpur Express (143 Up/144 Dn)

Named after Pakistan's 13th largest city, Bahawalpur, this train has a 487km run from Samasata Jn to
Sialkot Jn. The train originates from Samasata Jn instead of Bahawalpur, probably because of better
train handling facilities at Samasata Jn.

The train route is Samasata Jn - Bahawalpur - Khanewal Jn (via Chord) - Faisalabad - Wazirabad Jn -
Sialkot Jn.

Accomodation on this train includes 1st class Sitter and Economy.

8. Baluchistan Express (31 Up/32 Dn)

This train is currently the fastest rail link between Karachi and Quetta. It takes the Karachi - Sukkur -
Quetta (850km) route and it currently takes 16 hours and 5 minutes to cover this distance.

The Karachi - Quetta distance via Sukkur is 14km shorter than via Larkana. Bolan Mail takes the latter
route.

Baluchistan is the name of Pakistan's largest province by area. Accomodation available on Baluchistan
Express includes AC Sleeper, AC Lower annd Economy.

9. Bolan Mail (3 Up/4 Dn)

Named after the famous 'Bolan Pass' in Baluchistan province, this train is one of the most historic
trains on the PR network. It connects Karachi with Quetta via Larkana (857Km).
Currently it is not the fastest linking between Karachi and Quetta as it takes more than 20 hours to
cover this distance. The reason for its low speed is the bad track quality between Kotri Jn and Habib
Kot Jn via Dadu/Larkana Jn.

Bolan Pass itself is 60 miles (100km) long and has a maximum altitude of 5,880 ft (1,792 m). The
pass is strategically located and many traders, invaders, and nomadic tribes coming from western and
central Asia used it as a gateway to India.

Accomodation available on Bolan Mail includes AC Sleeper, First Class Sleeper and Economy.

10. Chenab Express (11 Up/12 Dn)

The Chenab Express is named after River Chenab. Chenab is one of the five famous rivers of the
Punjab (literally, '5 waters') province. The Chenab is also associated with the folk stories of Sohni-
Mahinwal and Heer-Ranjha.

The Chenab Express, when inaugurated, had the route of Karachi - Faisalabad - Sargodha - Attock
City - Peshawar. Later the route changed to Karachi - Faisalabad - Lala Musa - Rawalpindi - Peshawar,
and these days it runs Karachi - Faisalabad - Rawalpindi.

This train is known for other 'experiments' carried out on its route. To reduce the burden on Karachi
City and Karachi Cant stations and to utilize the fast decaying 'Karachi Circular Railway' track, Chenab
express once orginated from a Karachi suburban station, Manghopir. The empty rake of the train was
brought to Manghopir from Karachi City daily as there is no washing line or maintenance facility at
Manghopir, and then the rake was sent up-country via the KCR route.

11. Chiltan Express (21 Up/22 Dn)

'Chiltan' is the name of one of the three large craggy mountains that surround Quetta valley, the other
two being 'Zarghun' and 'Koh-I-Murdar'. Since Chiltan Express has Quetta as one of its termini, it is
named after one of the region's prominent geological landmarks.

This train used to have a Quetta-Lahore route via Dera Ghazi Khan and Kot Adu Jn. This route opened
in 1973, hence the Chiltan Express likely started operations on or after that year.

Over the years the route of the Chiltan Express has been varied many times by running it between
Quetta and Peshawar via Faisalabad, between Quetta and Rawalpindi via Lahore, and these days
between Quetta and Lahore via Faisalabad.

12. Dachi Express (221 Up/222 Dn)

The word 'Dachi' in Punjabi language means 'camel'. Why this train is called a Camel Express is not
clear to me. It used to be one of the premier trains and one of the fastest between Lahore and
Faisalabad covering 142km in three hours. Since the late 1990s the Lahore-Faisalabad distance is now
being covered in about 1 hour 50 minutes by quite a few non-stop trains and the Dachi Express has
lost its importance. It is now a slow passenger with 19 stops on its Lahore-Faisalabad route and 14
stops on its Faisalabad-Lahore route. On the Lahore-Faisalabad Up route it is classified as an Express
and on the Faisalabad-Lahore Down route it is classified as a Passenger. This train has been
mentioned in the famous Urdu writer Ibn-e-Insha's book 'Urdu ki aakhri kitab' ('The last book of
Urdu') where while describing a camel Ibn-e-Insha says that the camel was also called a 'Dachi' but
that these days railway men have put wheels under it and made it an express. That book was first
published in 1971 which means the Dachi Express has been running at least since 1971. I don't know
its exact date of inauguration.

13. Faisal Express (111 Up/112 Dn)

Faisal Express is one of nine daily trains that run between Lahore and Faisalabad. It is also one of the
fastest trains on this route, covering the 142km distance in 105 minutes in the Up direction and 110
minutes in the Down direction. Inaugurated in 2001, it is also a relatively new train on this route.

14. Faisalabad Express (35 Up/36 Dn)

Faisalabad Express is currently the fastest train running between Karachi and Faisalabad. It covers the
1095km distance between Karachi and Faisalabad in 15 hours 35 minutes in the Up direction and 15
hours 45 minutes in the Down sirection. It started in the late 1990s as a non-stop train between
Karachi and Faisalabad with only operational stops at Rohri Jn and Khanewal Jn, but now it has five
and seven stops in between on the Up and Down journeys respectively. The accommodation available
on this train includes AC lower and Economy.

15. Fareed Express (37 Up/38 Dn)

Baba Freed Shakar Ganj (1173-1266 AD) was a saint who lived and preached in the area east of
Multan-Lahore axis. After his demise Baba Fareed was buried in the town of Pakpattan. Since Fareed
Express has a parallel route east of Multan-Lahore main line and since it also serves Pakpattan city,
the train has been named 'Fareed Express�'.

Fareed Express started its operation in 1996. It has a 1248km long route between Karachi City and
Lahore via Pakpattan. From Karachi to Lodhran Jn it runs on mainline, then diverts east on a branch
line towards Vihari. It passes through towns of Mailsi, Arif wala, Pakpattan, Kasur Jn and joins the
mainline again at Raiwind Jn to continue its journey towards Lahore. Fareed Express is presently one
of the slowest trains on the PR network covering 1248km in 23 hours and 30 minutes in the Up
direction and 23 hours and 15 minutes in the Down direction. It currently has 33 stops between
Karachi and Lahore. The accommodation available on Fareed Express includes First Class Sitter,
Economy and 2nd Class.

16. FAST (325 Up/326 Down)

The name 'FAST�' is probably a misnomer on this not-so-fast train. It has a 142km Lahore-Faisalabad
route with 17 stops in between and covers this distance in 3 hours and 15 minutes in Up direction and
3 hours and 50 minutes in Down direction. For comparison, the Fastest train on this route presently
covers this distance in 1 hour 45 minutes.

17. Islamabad Non Stop (147 Up)

Currently the fastest train on Lahore-Rawalpindi route. It covers 289km in 3 hours and 30 minutes. It
started its operation on Aug 1, 2004 covering Lahore-Rawalpindi distance in 3 hours and 45 minutes
and from Sept 8, 2004, fifteen more minutes have been reduced from its travel time. Its rake consists
of Chinese coaches.

18. Lahore Non-Stop (148 Dn)

The same rake that travels in the morning as 147 Up Islamabad Non Stop comes back to Lahore in the
evening as 148 Down Lahore Non Stop. Travel time remains same at 3 hours and 30 minutes in either
direction.

19. Jaffar Express (39 Up/40 Down)

Jaffar Express is named after Mr. Jaffar Khan Jamali who was one of the prominent Baloch leaders of
the Pakistan movement. He was among the first few Baloch leaders who whole-heartedly supported
Mr. Mohammad Ali Jinnah in the Pakistan movement. Mr. Jaffar Khan Jamali was also the uncle of ex-
Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Zafarullah Khan Jamali.

Jaffar Express started its operation on May 13, 2004 (when Mr. Zafarullah Khan Jamali was the Prime
Minister of Pakistan) and it was the second train on PR network with its full rake consisting of Chinese
coaches. Here is a photo of its inaugural DOWN run from Rawalpindi station.

Currently Jaffar Express has a 1494km route between Quetta and Rawalpindi via Sukkur and Lahore.
It covers this distance in 27 hours 20 minutes in the Up direction and in an even 27 hours in the Down
direction. It has 18 stops between Quetta and Rawalpindi.

The rake of Jaffar Express consists of three lower AC coaches and four economy class coaches with
head end generation. Each lower AC coach has a capacity of 54 berths and nine seats and each
economy class coach has a capacity of 51 births and nine seats.

20. Karachi Express (15 Up/16 Down)

Karachi Express is one of the oldest and most prestigious trains on PR network. As is obvious, it is
named after Karachi, the largest city of Pakistan and also the former capital city. Karachi Express
started its operation in the late 1940s with a Karachi City to Peshawar Cantt route. The route was later
shortened to Karachi-Lahore. Over the years it lost its earlier prestige and became a regular express
train with more than 20 stops at one point in time between Karachi and Lahore. In 2000 the train
regained some of its lost glory, as it was upgraded to a 16-hour non-stop service between Karachi and
Lahore (with one technical stop at Khanpur Jn). In the year 2001-02 Hyderabad Jn, Rohri Jn and
Khanewal Jn were added to its stops. Currently it has one more stop added to its route at Sahiwal. It
now covers Karachi Cant to Lahore 1214km distance in 16 hours 30 minutes in the Up direction and in
16 hours 45 minutes in the Down direction.

21. Karakoram Express (41 Up/42 Down)

Named after the lofty peaks of Karakoram Mountains, it was the first train to run on PR network that
consisted completely of Chinese-made coaches. Since Karakoram Mountains form the common border
between Pakistan and China, the train is accordingly named to highlight the Pak-China friendship.

It is currently the fastest train running between Karachi and Lahore and covers the 1214km distance
in 16 hours in either direction.

Here is a photo of the Karakoram Express seen in Lahore suburbs.

22. Khushhal Khan Khattak Express (19Up/20

Down)
This train is named after arguably the most famous poet and a famous chieftain of North West Frontier
Province (NWFP), Khushhal Khan Khattak. Khushhal Khan was born near Peshawar in 1613. By
appointment of the Mughal emperor, Shah Jehan, he became the chieftain of the Khattak tribe in
1641, but Aurangzeb, Shah Jehan's successor, because of some misgivings removed Khushhal Khan
from his hereditary position, and kept him a prisoner in the Gwalior fortress in Delhi. After Khushhal
was permitted to return to Peshawar he incited the Pashtuns to rebel against the Mughals. His grave
carries the inscription: 'I have taken up the sword to defend the pride of the Pashtun, I am Khushhal
Khattak, the honorable man of the age.' Khushhal Khan Khattak was a learned man, having scores of
books or manuscripts to his credit. There was hardly any discipline that he did not delved into.
Religion, philosophy, mysticism, lexicography, medicine, hunting and falconry, war and aesthetics --
all came under his scrutiny. The Khattak tribe of Khushhal Khan now lives in the areas of Kohat,
Peshawar, and Mardan.

Since 19Up/20 Dn Khushhal Khan Khattak Express has a Karachi to Peshawar route, it is named after
this great poet of the NWFP.

At 19 letters, this train also has the longest name among all the trains running on PR Network.

The accommodation available on this train includes First, Economy and Second Classes.

Khushhal Khan Khattak Express takes a route between Karachi City and Peshawar Cant which mostly
runs on the West Bank of River Indus. It travels on mainline between Karachi to Kotri Jn and then
takes a branch line via Larkana Jn to Habibkot Jn. From Habibkot Jn it follows mainline to Jacobabad
Jn. From Jac¡¥obabad Jn it takes another branch line route via Kashmore, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan,
Kot Adu Jn, Kundian Jn, Mianwali, Jand Jn, Basal Jn to Attock City Jn. From Attock City Jn to Peshawar
Cant it follows the mainline again.
As of summer 2004, Khushhal Khan Khattak Express has 1512km run between Karachi City and
Peshawar Cant which it covers in 36 hours 40 minutes in the Up direction and 36 hours 45 minutes in
the Down direction. It also has 59 stops between its termini. This makes it the slowest running
express between Karachi and Peshawar.

23. Khyber Mail (1 Up/2 Down)

Khyber Mail is Pakistans oldest and the most prestigious train. It is named after the famous Khyber
Pass which is located in the 'North West Frontier Province' (NWFP) of Pakistan. Khyber Pass has
historically connected Central Asia with the Indian Subcontinent. Today it connects Afghanistan with
Pakistan. Khyber Mail's name has a 'mail' suffix because historically this train used to distribute local
postal mail along its route. From my childhood I remembera red-colored postal mail full of mail sacks
attached to the Khyber Mail. I believe that postal mail is not attached to Khyber Mail any more but the
train still keeps its name as a mail train.

Khyber Mail is also the train that has been most written about in railway literature about Pakistan.
Paul Theroux for one has traveled and written about Khyber Mail in most of his rail travel books.

Before Independence, Khyber Mail had an ancestor, the 'Frontier Mail' which ran on Bombay Central
(India) -- Peshawar route. After 1947, on the Indian side, 'Frontier Mail' continued its operation on a
curtailed Bombay Central -- Amritsar route while on the Pakistan side it was renamed as 'Khyber Mail'
with a Karachi to Peshawar route. The mini-research that I have done on Khyber Mail tells me that its
predecessor Frontier Mail was running as far back as 1928. My information comes from IRFCA's web
page where a photo, courtesy of Mr. S. Shankar's web page, shows Frontier Mail en route to Peshawar
on Darrah viaduct near Delhi.

An even earlier account of a predecessor of both Frontier Mail and Khyber Mail comes from Mr. Hal
Waters' and Mr. S. Shankar's web page on NWR. >The photo # 8 here is from 1909 and calls for a
'Peshawar Mail' sighting near river Jhelum. I have not been able to confirm whether this 'Peshawar
Mail' was the same as 'Frontier Mail' or a different train.

At present Khyber Mail has the longest running route in Pakistan, which is 1721km. It currently shares
this honor with 13Up/14Dn Awam (People) Express. Khyber Mail is however, the fastest train link
between Karachi and Peshawar.

As of summer 2004, Khyber Mail covers 1721km distance between Karachi Cant and Peshawar Cant in
31 hours 55 minutes in the Up direction, and 32 hours 5 minutes in the Down direction. It stops at 45
stations between Karachi Cant and Peshawar Cant.

I have a PR time table of 1959. Interestingly, forty-five years ago Khyber Mail had only 24 stops
between Karachi City and Peshawar Cant. And amazingly enough it covered this distance with steam
locomotives in 32 hours 25 minutes which is only 20 minutes slower than that of 2004. Should we
conclude that not much has changed speed wise for Khyber Mail in half-a-century? A clue to this
stagnancy in rail modernization comes from Paul Theroux book 'The Imperial Way -- by Rail from
Peshawar to Chittagong' where while traveling by Khyber Mail he writes (pp 9-10):
I had returned (to Pakistan) to take this long trip (Peshawar-Lahore via Khyber Mail) to see what had changed. I
had noticed very few changes¡K. The railway is one of the most traditional of institutions and, for better or worse, it
runs in Pakistan pretty much the same way as it always ran. The odd thing is that throughout the Sub-continent the
railway seems so profoundly part of the culture that it hardly seems related to the industrial age but instead seems
as ancient as India itself. The roads and airports come and go, but nothing seems as indestructible as the railway.

The accommodation on Khyber Mail has historically been the best. I do remember that up until the
early 1980s Khyber Mail had a 'buffet' Dining Car attached to it. Dining Car is still attached to the train
but it is not the buffet style anymore and food is now served at the passenger seats. From his 1975
trip to Pakistan and while traveling by First Class Sleeper of Khyber Mail, Paul Theroux has written in
his book 'The Great Railway Bazaar' (pp 81):

It had not taken long to find my compartment (on Khyber Mail). My name was on the door, printed large on a
label! I had every thing I needed. The compartment was large, well-lighted, and comfortable, with a toilet and sink
in an adjoining room; I had a drop-leaf table, well up-holstered seat, mirror, ashtray, chrome gin-bottle holder, the
works.

The current accommodation available on Khyber Mail includes AC Sleeper, First and Economy Class.

24. Lala Musa Express (137 Up/138 Down)

This train is named after the city of Lala Musa which is an important junction on PR's main line. Lala
Musa Express has a 147km long route between Lala Musa Jn -- Sargodha Jn. As of summer 2004, it
covered this distance in 3 hours 40 minutes in the Up direction and in 3 hours and 30 minutes in the
Down direction. It stops at 17 stations between Lala Musa and Sargodha. The only accommodation
available on this train is Economy Class. The rake of Lala Musa Express is shared by Malakwal Express
too, which is introduced below.

25. Malakwal Express (135 Up/136 Down)

Malakwal Express is named after the city of Malakwal which was once a very important junction and
steam loco bastion in Western Punjab. Malakwal Express has exactly the same route as of Lala Musa
Express which was introduced above. Since Malakwal Express shares its rake with Lala Musa Express
so it also only one accommodation available i.e. Economy Class. It covers its 147km long route in 3
hours 40 minutes in up direction and 3 hours 45 minutes in down direction. It has 18 stops in up
direction and 16 stops in down direction between its termini at Lala Musa Jn and Sargodha Jn.

The single rake sharing between Malakwal Express and Lala Musa Express takes place according to the
following time table:

135 Up Malakwal Express Sargodha Jn dep 0500

135 Up Malakwal Express Lala Musa Jn arr 0840

138 Dn Lala Musa Express Lala Musa Jn dep 1035

138 Dn Lala Musa Express Sargodha Jn arr 1405

137 Up Lala Musa Express Sargodha Jn dep 1515

 137 Up Lala Musa Express Lala Musa Jn,arr 1855

136 Dn Malakwal Express Lala Musa Jn dep 1945

136 Dn Malakwal Express Sargodha Jn arr 2330

The rake is washed and rested at Sargodha Jn overnight.

26. Lasani Express (125 Up/126 Down)

The word 'Lasani' in Urdu language means 'one of its kind'. This 'one of its kind' express runs between
Lahore Jn and Sialkot Jn via Narowal Jn. It has a 148km route, which it covers in 3 hours 45 minutes
in both directions. It has 13 stops between Lahore and Sialkot and the only accommodation available
on this train is Economy Class. This train provides a convenient day trip to Lahore to the business
community of Sialkot. It has an early morning run from Sialkot to Lahore and a late afternoon run
back to Sialkot.

27. Mari Indus Express (329 Up /330 Down)

Mari Indus Express is named after the town of Mari Indus. It is also one of the oldest branch line trains
on PR Network. It has been running on Lahore -- Mari Indus route since the 1950s. At that time it was
called Mari Indus Passenger and was later upgraded to an express. It has a 429km route in either
direction with a peculiar detour. After reaching Chak Jhumra Jn on its up journey, it instead of turning
towards Mari Indus, takes a 19km detour to Faisalabad. It has a 30-minute stop in Faisalabad before it
comes back to Chak Jhumra Jn and then continues towards Mari Indus. The same sequence is
repeated on it�'s down journey too.

As of the summer 2004 time table, Mari Indus express covers Lahore to Mari Indus distance in 12
hours 35 minutes in up direction and 12 hours and 30 minutes in down direction. This time also
includes its 38-km and 75-minute detour to Faisalabad.

It has 34 stops between Lahore and Mari Indus, which also includes stopping twice at Chak Jhumra Jn
in its either way journey.

Accommodation available on Mari Indus express includes Economy and 2nd Class.

28. Mehr Expess (127 Up/128 Down)

Mehr Express is named after the 'Mehr�' clan of Pakistan�'s Seraiki belt. Since this train has most of
its route spread across Seraiki area of Pakistan, it is named after the Seraiki speaking Mehr tribe.

Mehr Express has a 572km long route between Multan and Rawalpindi via Kot Adu Jn, Kundian Jn and
Golra Sharif Jn.

As of summer 2004, Mehr express covers this distance in 14 hours 55 minutes in the Up direction and
14 hours 20 minutes in the Down direction. It stops at 35 stations between Multan and Rawalpindi.
29. Musa Pak Express (115 Up/116 Down)
Musa Pak Express is named after a famous saint called Sheikh Abul Hassab Musa Pak who is now
buried in Multan City. Musa Pak express has a 335km route between Multan Cant and Lahore. One
peculiar aspect of this train is the difference in number of stops it has in up and down direction. In up
direction, it covers 335km in 280 minutes with only 3 stops in between the termini. In down direction
it covers the same distance in 345 minutes with 13 stops.

30. Narowal Express (209 Up/210 Down)

As the name implies, Narowal Express is named after the city of Narowal. It has an 86km route
between Lahore Jn and Narowal Jn. Just like Musa Pak Express, Narowal Express also has a huge
difference in its up and down travel times and number of stops.

In the Up direction it covers its 86km route in 100 minutes with 4 stops. In the Down direction it
covers the same distance in 130 minutes with 11 stops between its termini.

31. Night Coach (105 Up/106 Dn)

Night coach is named such because of its late night timings in either direction. It is currently the
second fastest train running between Lahore and Rawalpindi. It covers its 289km route in 260 minutes
with 2 stops in up direction and in the same time with 1 stop in down direction. In comparison, the
fastest trains on this route (Islamabad and Lahore Nonstops) cover the same distance in 210 minutes.

32. Pakpattan Express (117 Up/118 Down)

This train is named after a city in Punjab province called Pakpattan and has Samasata to Lahore route
via Pakpattan. Its route length is 438km, which it covers in 11 hours 50 minutes in the Up direction
and 12 hours and 20 minutes in the Down direction. It has 40 stops between its termini, which include
Bahwalpur, Lodhran Jn, Mailsi, Vihari, Pakpattan, Kasur Jn, Raiwind Jn etc.

Accommodations available on Pakpattan Express are first class, economy and second class.

33. Qalandar Express (165 Up/166 Down)

Qalandar Express is named after a famous saint of Sindh named Lal Shahbaz Qalandar (1177-1274
A.D). Shahbaz Qalandar's tomb, built in 1356, is located in the town of Sehwan Sharif. The saint was
called 'Lal' because of his red attire, Shahbaz means falcon, and denotes his free spirit and Qalandar is
for the Sufi sect called Qalandria that he belonged to. The word 'Qalandar�' itself means a person who
knows one�'s inner being or has knowledge of one�'s inner spirit.

Qalandar Express has Sehwan Sharif as one of its stops, and it is thus named after the saint of
Sehwan. It has a 284km route between Kotri Jn and Larkana Jn with 25 stops in between. As of
summer 2004, Qalandar Express covered this distance in 7 hours 10 minutes in the Up direction and
in 8 hours and 15 minutes in the Down direction.

Some of the main towns that fall on Qalandar Express�' route include Sann, Sehwan Sharif, Bhan
Sayadabad, Dadu and Moen-jo-daro (famous for the largest excavated ruins of the 5000-year-old
Indus Valley civilization).

34. Quetta Express (23 Up/24 Down)

Quetta Express is named after the city of Quetta, which is also the provincial capital of Baluchistan.
Quetta Express is the only train on PR network, which runs through all the four provinces of Pakistan.
It has a 1631km route with 40 stops between its termini of Quetta and Peshawar. It covers its route in
34 hours in the Up direction and in 32 hours 20 minutes in the Down direction.

Accommodations available on Quetta Express are AC Sleeper, First and Economy.

35. Rachna Express (113 Up/114 Down)

In ancient times, the land that lies between two Punjab rivers, viz., River Ravi and River Chenab was
called Rachna Doab. The word doab literally means 'two waters�'. Since this train has a route
between river Ravi and river Chenab in Rachna Doab area, it is named the Rachna Express.

Rachna Express is one of six trains that currently have a Lahore-Faisalabad route. The route length is
142km and it covers this distance in 175 minutes in the Up direction and in 170 minutes in the Down
direction. It has 10 stops between Lahore and Faisalabad.

36. Ravi Express (121 Up/122 Down)

Ravi Express is named after river Ravi, which is one of the five rivers of Punjab. This train has a
Lahore to Shorkot route, which runs almost parallel to the west bank of river Ravi.

The route length is 261km and Ravi Express covers this distance in 6 hours in the Up direction and in
6 hours 5 minutes in the Down direction. The train has 14 stops on its route.

Some of the important towns on Ravi Express�' route are Sheikhupura (named after Emperor
Akbar�'s son Sheikho), Warburton, Nankana Sahab (a holy city for the Sikh religion), Jaranwala,
Tandlianwala, and Kamalia.

Accommodations available on Ravi Express are Economy and Second.

37. Rohi Express (131 Up/132 Down)

The word 'Rohi�' means 'desert�' in Seraiki language. The Seraiki belt of Pakistan is famous for two
deserts, viz., 'Thal' and 'Cholistan' deserts. Because of extensive irrigation schemes over the years,
the Thal desert is now mostly an agriculture land. The Cholistan desert however, still extends from
east of Bahawalpur to the Indian border.

Since Rohi express has 'Khanpur Jn�', as one of its terminus and since Khanpur lies in the heart of
Seraiki speaking area, therefore the train is named as 'Rohi�' or 'Desert�' express.

Rohi Express has Khanpur to Rawalpindi route via Shorkot, Jhang, Sargodha and Lala Musa.

The length of Rohi Express�' route is 774km. It covers this distance in 17 hours 50 minutes with 38
stops between its termini.

38. Rohri Express (167 Up/168 Down)

Rohri express is named after the city of Rohri. It has a 218km route between Sukkur and Khanpur via
Rohri Jn. It covers this distance in 4 hours in the Up direction and 4 hours 5 minutes in the Down
direction. It has 10 stops between its termini.

39. Sandal Express (139 Up/140 Down)

Sandal Express is named after the 'Sandal�' clan, which has most of its people living in the Seraiki
speaking area in and around Multan. Since this train has Multan to Sargodha route, it is named after
the local Sandal clan of Multan. Sandal Express runs on its route via Khanewal, Shorkot and Jhang.
The route length is 279km, which it covers in 6 hours 35 minutes in the Up direction and in 6 hours 25
minutes in the Down direction. It has 21 stops between its termini.

40. Sargodha Express (123 Up/124 Down)

Sargodha Express is named after the city of Sargodha. It runs from Lahore to Sargodha. The route
length is 215km, which it covers in 4 hours 15 minutes in the Up direction and in 4 hours 10 minutes
in the Down direction. It has 15 stops between its termini.

41. Shah Latif Express (151 Up/152 Down)

Shah Latif Express is named after Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai who is considered as the greatest poet of
Sindhi language. Shah Abdul Latif lived in Sindh during the seventeenth century. Shah's poetry is
unique as it expresses the harmony between what he saw outside with his naked eyes and what he
observed within by his inner eyes.

Shah Latif Express runs between Karachi city and Mirpur Khas. It has a 246km long route, which it
covers in 4 hours 55 minutes in the Up direction and in 4 hours 40 minutes in the Down direction. It
has 11 stops between Karachi City and Mirpur Khas.

Accommodation available on Shah Latif Express is Economy and Second class.

42. Shah Rukne Alam Express (29 Up/30
Down)
Shah Rukn-e-Alam express is named after a saint who lived in Multan. Saint�'s real name was Sheikh
Rukn-ud-Din Abul Fateh, but he was commonly knows as Rukn-e-Alam. The word Rukn-e-Alam means
'Pillar of the World�'. His shrine in Multan is one of the landmarks of Multan City and has won quite a
few architectural awards too.

Shah Rukn-e-Alam Express is a day train between Karachi and Multan. The train has a 921km long
route, which it covers in 14 hours 45 minutes in the Up direction and in 14 hours 55 minutes in the
Down direction. It has 18 stops between Karachi Cantt and Multan Cantt.

The accommodation available on Shah Rukn-e-Alam Express is AC Parlor, AC Lower and Economy
Class.

43. Shahbaz Passenger (309 Up/310 Down)

Shahbaz Passenger is named after a famous saint of Sindh named 'Lal Shahbaz Qalandar�' (1177-
1274 A.D). Shahbaz Qalandar's tomb, built in 1356, is located in the town of Sehwan Sharif. The saint
was called 'Lal' because of his red attire, the word Shahbaz means falcon, which is a bird native to
Sindh and denotes his free spirit and Qalandar is for the Sufi sect called Qalandria that he belonged to.
There is another train called 'Qalandar Express�' named after Lal Shahbaz Qalandar.

Shahbaz Passenger has a 380km route between Kotri Jn and Rohri Jn via Sehwan Sharif (resting place
of Lal Shabaz Qalandar), Dadu, Larkana Jn and Sukkur. As of summer 2004, Shahbaz Passenger
covered its route in 12 hours 30 minutes with 39 stops between its termini.

Accommodation available on Shahbaz Passenger includes Economy and Second class.

44. Shalimar Express (27 Up/28 Down)

Shalimar Express is named after the famous Shalimar gardens located in Baghbanpura, Lahore.
Shalimar gardens were laid out during the time of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1642 for the
pleasure of Royal household. Shalimar gardens conform to the classic Mughal conception of a perfect
garden and consist of three terraces of straight, shaded walk sets around a perfectly symmetrical
arrangement of ponds, waterfalls, marble pavilions, all surrounded by flower beds and fruit trees and
enclosed within a wall and more than 400 fountains.

Shalimar Express was inaugurated in 1979 as the fastest train on PR network. At the time of its
inauguration, it covered Karachi-Lahore distance in 16 hours. It started as a day-train with 6 a.m.
departure and 10 p.m. arrival in either direction. Two locos used to pull it and it was an all AC-parlor
train. It had only two technical stops of 20 minutes duration at Rohri Jn and Khanewal Jn all during its
1210km route. Later on economy class was added to it and its stoppages got increased. At one point
its timings got changed to an overnight train and Multan was added to its stops. Earlier it used to
bypass Multan. These days it is back as a day train between Karachi and Lahore and runs via chord
bypassing Multan again.

It is not the fastest train on Karachi-Lahore route anymore. Its current route length is 1210km, which
it covers in 17 hours 15 minutes with 10 stops between its termini.

45. Subuk Khram Express (103 Up/104

Down)
The word 'subuk khram�' means 'a person (or a train in our case) with a fast and delicate style of
walking�'. Subuk Khram express was traditionally a rail car. As the rail car units grew older and
number of coaches in the train started increasing, Subuk khram was converted to an express with a
separate diesel loco pulling the rake.

Subuk Khram Express has a 289km route between Lahore and Rawalpindi and as of summer 2004, it
covers this distance in 4 hours 30 minutes with 5 stops between its termini.

Accommodation available on Subuk Khram express includes AC Parlor and Economy.

46. Subuk Raftar Express (101 Up/102 Down)

The word 'subuk raftar�' means 'a person (or a train in our case) which runs with a fast and speed�'.
Just like Subuk khram Express, which was introduced above, Subuk Raftar express was also a rail car.
Both of these rail cars were introduced on Lahore-Rawalpindi route as a morning and an evening
service. As the rail car units grew older and the number of coaches in the train started increasing,
Subuk Raftar was converted to an express with a separate diesel loco pulling the rake.

Subuk Khram Express has a 289km route between Lahore and Rawalpindi and as of summer 2004, it
covers this distance in 4 hours 30 minutes with 6 stops between its termini in the Up direction and in
4 hours 35 minutes with 5 stops in the Down direction.

Accommodation available on Subuk Khram express includes AC Parlor, AC lower and Economy.

47. Sukkur Express (145 Up/146 Down)

Sukkur Express is named after the city of Sukkur. When first started, it used to have an overnight run
between Karachi and Sukkur. It still has an overnight run, but extended to Jacobabad Jn.

Its current route length is 555km, which it covers in 11 hours 5 minutes in the Up direction and in 11
hours 10 minutes in the Down direction. It has 18 stops between Karachi Cant and Jacobabad Jn
including a 30 minutes stop at Sukkur.

Accommodation available on Sukkur Express includes AC Sleeper, First Class and Economy.
48. Super Express (33 Up/34 Down)
This train was inaugurated as the fastest train link between Karachi and Lahore in the 70s. Hence the
name 'Super�' express. However, in 1979 the title of fastest train was taken over by Shalimar
Express and super express became just another train.

Super Express has a unique history of rake splitting too. After its inauguration as a Karachi-Lahore
train, public demand soon grew for a fast train link between Karachi and Faisalabad also. Extra
coaches were added to Super Express and on its up journey, the rake used to split at Khanewal Jn
with some coaches continuing on to Lahore while the rest went to Sargodha Jn via Faisalabad. On its
down journey both rakes used to meet at Khanewal Jn and coupled together for journey towards
Karachi. This arrangement of rake splitting worked fine for up journey but not so efficiently for the
down journey. On down journey the rake from Sargodha Jn had to travel 277km and the rake from
Lahore had to travel 286km before they colud be coupled together at Khanewal Jn. Both of these
routes were on single track and many a times the split rakes got late while their other halves had to
wait a long time at Khanewal Jn. Sometimes one of the rakes got so late that they were sent to
Karachi as two separate trains.

As the number of trains running between Karachi and Lahore grew, Super Express was changed to a
total Karachi-Sargodha Jn train with no rake splitting. It continues as such to date, but it has lost its
prestige and fame as a really fast super express. It now has 34 stoppages between its termini.

Super Express currently has a 1256km route between Karachi and Sargodha via Faisalabad. As of
summer 2004, it covered this distance in 22 hours 25 minutes in the Up direction and in 22 hours 50
minutes in the Down direction

Accommodation available on Super Express includes First Class and Economy.

49. Tezgam (7 Up/8 Down)

The word 'Tezgam�' means a 'fast runner�'. Tezgam was inaugurated in 1950s as a Karachi-
Peshawar train. Later its route was reduced to Karachi-Rawalpindi. Just like Khyber Mail and Karachi
Express, Tezgam is also one of the earliest and more prestigious of the trains on PR network.

Since its inception, it always has been the fastest train link between Karachi and Rawalpindi.
Tezgam�'s route length is 1542km, which it covers in 25 hours and 5 minutes in the Up direction and
in 25 hours 55 minutes in the Down direction. Tezgam currently has 26 stops between its termini.

Accommodation available on Tezgam includes AC Sleeper, AC lower, First Class and Economy.

50. Tezrau (5 Up/6 Down)

The word 'Tezrau�' means 'fast wave�'. It started as a Karachi-Lahore-Peshawar train but over the
years its route and its name has been experimented a lot. At one point in Pakistan�'s political history,
Tezrau�'s name got changed to 'Zulfiqar Express�' named after Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who was an ex
Prime Minister of Pakistan. Its route between Kotri and Rohri was also changed from Mainline to a
branch via Larkana Jn. Larkana was the home city of Zulhiqar Ali Bhutto. Later on when railway was
trying to make best use Karachi Circular Railway�'s dilapidating infrastructure, Tezrau�'s terminal
was moved to Gilani station. After that at some point in time, Tezrau�'s route was made Karachi to
Havelian. These days Tezrau is running between Drigh Road Jn and Rawalpindi.

Its current route length is 1489km which it covers in 29 hours 20 minutes in the Up direction and in
28 hours 55 minutes in the Down direction. It has 51 stops between its termini.

Accommodation available on Tezrau includes First Class and Economy.

51. Thal Express (129 Up/130 Down)

Thal Express is named after the plains and desert of Thal, which extends west of Multan deep into
South-West Punjab. Since this train�'s route is through Thal it is named after it.

Thal express has a 595km route between Multan and Rawalpindi via Kundian and Attock. It has similar
route as Mehr Express except from Basal Jn, Thal Express detours to Attock and then comes back to
Rawalpindi via mainline. It has 39 stops between its termini.

Accommodation available on Thal Express includes First Class and Econom