Passengers sent to Quetta after the train blast in Balochistan

Train services were once again suspended after an explosion led to the cancellation of the scheduled Jaffer Express between Bakhtiarabad and Damboli in Balochistan.

A bomb blast damaged the railway track near Bolan, affecting multiple trains and halting rail traffic for several hours. The blast was reportedly aimed at the Bolan Mail, which was heading to Karachi. As a result, coach number seven of the train was partially damaged. The Jaffer Express, which was also traveling to Quetta, had to be stopped. Authorities quickly arranged a special shuttle train to safely transport at least 300 passengers to Quetta. Meanwhile, the district administration provided temporary shelter to passengers at the local circuit house.

Rescue teams and security forces reached the site and cleared the affected area to restore train operations. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. In another development, Pakistan Railways has increased passenger train fares by 2 percent after diesel prices rose by Rs11.37 per liter. Freight fares for coal have been increased by 3 percent and for fertilizer by 2 percent.

According to railway officials, the rise in diesel cost has created an extra burden of nearly Rs4 million daily and over Rs119 million monthly. Pakistan Railways uses around 350,000 liters of diesel every day to operate its trains. To improve services and boost income, the Railways Department has also decided to privatize 11 passenger trains. These include Hazara Express, Millat Express, Rawal Express, Badra Express, Bahauddin Zakaria Express, Ghauri Express, Ravi Express, Thal Express, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, and Mohenjo-Daro Passenger Train. Officials believe privatization will offer better facilities to passengers and help reduce losses.