QUETTA / JACOBABAD (HRNW) – Hundreds of passengers have been left in a state of distress following the sudden cancellation of the Jaffer Express, the vital rail link connecting Balochistan with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Citing urgent track maintenance, the railway authorities suspended the service, leaving travelers at Quetta Station stranded and forcing the Quetta-bound train from Peshawar to halt indefinitely at Jacobabad.
Administrative Negligence and Public Protest
Railway officials maintain that the decision was inevitable due to the poor condition of the tracks and recent weather impacts, aiming to prevent a potential disaster. However, passengers expressed fierce indignation over the lack of prior notice.
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Haji Abdul Rahman (Elderly Traveler): “I was traveling to Peshawar after three months to see my daughter. Now I am stuck here with nothing but a useless ticket.”
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Ali Hassan (Student): “I have a university exam in Peshawar. With the train cancelled and no alternative transport available, my academic future is at stake.”
Balochistan’s Paralyzed Railway Network
The grievance of the passengers extends beyond a single train. Travelers highlighted that the Bolan Mail (Karachi-bound) and the Chaman Passenger train have also been suspended for several days. This has effectively severed the rail link between various parts of Balochistan and the rest of the country. Compounding the issue, recent rains have affected highways, leading to overcrowded buses and a sharp hike in private transport fares.
Helplessness at Jacobabad Station
Passengers on the train coming from Peshawar to Quetta faced severe hardships after being stopped at Jacobabad. Families, including women and children, have been waiting for hours on the platform with minimal facilities, while railway staff offer nothing but repeated assurances that “repairs are underway.”
Assurances from Railway Authorities
Railway officials of the Quetta Division have assured affected passengers of a 100% refund on their tickets. They expect that once the emergency repairs are completed, the Jaffer Express will resume its normal operations by tomorrow. However, public circles argue that mere refunds are not enough; the railway administration must provide alternative transportation and real-time information to mitigate such crises in the future.
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