
Pakistan Railways is planning to suspend two important passenger trains due to a serious shortage of coaches on Tuesday.
The Shah Hussain Express, which has 34 coaches and travels between Lahore and Karachi, and the Khushhal Khan Khattak Express, which utilises about 50 coaches, are being evaluated for suspension.
Reportedly, the comparison is based on there being no available coaches and a drop in the number of passengers.
Currently, the railways are short around 100 coaches, which has already led to dozens of service disruptions across the country. Top railway officials at the headquarters are discussing the potential removal of these trains.
A decision has yet to be made, but the suspension of these trains could limit the number of train trips available for travellers, particularly those using the long-haul routes.
In the meantime, Pakistan Railways has recommended tougher safety measures in light of several recent train accidents. A circular sent out from the office of the Chief Operating Superintendent states that no passenger or freight train will be sent to service until its entire brake system is checked and approved by a technical team.
Any coach or locomotive failing to meet the safety requirements will be removed from service immediately. Authorities believe this enforcement will not only improve passenger safety but also help reduce delays and prevent accidents in the future.