The Pakistan Business Express train started its first official operation to the port city of Karachi from Lahore on February 3. Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani graced the launch, describing it as a significant step forward to a successful example of public-private partnership to offer modern facilities to railway passengers.
The train has been launched by the Pakistan Railways in partnership with a private company named Four Brothers, the first of its kind under the policy of public-private partnership.
The train will run between Lahore and Karachi, covering the distance in 18 hours. - Photos by AFP
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Comments (18) Closed
ishtiaq shariq
Feb 04, 2012 06:15pm
ALHAMDULLILAH
ITS A GOOD STEP
MAY THIS TRAIN NEVER STOP EXEPT ON ITS STOPS.
THANKS
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Muhammad Zubair
Feb 04, 2012 06:59pm
Thanks to Al Mighty God that: Our Country Railway problems seemed to be solving,
Insha Allah: This service will provide our Economy an "Assistance", Just like our country's Privatized Mobile services, working 24/7 with convenyances.
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RH
Feb 04, 2012 07:07pm
Well if people rightly criticise the government for its failures they should also give credit where it's due. Well done Mr PM.
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usman
Feb 04, 2012 07:44pm
250 trains closed one train opened....
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Khurram
Feb 04, 2012 08:56pm
Just another gimmick to score a couple of cheap points and a few million in pocket.... . how can I laud the Business Train, knowing how miserably railways otherwise is failing. It amounts to "we don't have the money to buy bread and the Government is trying to sell us cakes" .... how convenient
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Seedo
Feb 04, 2012 09:21pm
On the face of it, i tlooks like an excellent news. I don't mean to be cynical, but I just cannot help it. A distance of 600 miles being covered in 18 hours. That's 33.33 miles per hour. Do you really thing any serious business person has that much time?
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god bless!
Feb 04, 2012 09:53pm
This venture is on it's way to success as the colours of the logo have the makings of a good omen. The price and name make it sound elitist and exclusive, though the run time is pedestrian!
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a.m.azmat
Feb 04, 2012 10:03pm
it may be a small step forward today but hopefully it will go a long way onward INSHA ALLAH. Pakistan has talent ,ability and all the natural resources only if greed does not set in.
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Khan
Feb 04, 2012 10:18pm
Rest of railway shutdown due to...
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sumit
Feb 04, 2012 11:54pm
splendid service..........thanks to goverment and those people who are involve in providing such a nice train for us....
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qadir530@hotmail.com
Feb 05, 2012 01:38am
Pakistan Railways have the potential and the expertise with the infrastructure to introduce some more trains, only the element which is missing is the will to do at top level. I have travelled 6 times since last June by train though I am working in Aviation Industry and my Air Travel is free but I took trains such as Night Coach, Tezgam, Qarakoram Express, Margalla Express and Islamabad Express during domestic Travel. I really enjoyed travelling,The food and the courteous attitude of all Operational Staff. Staff were helpful, kind and cooperative. In NOV I took the courage and took my family including my 85 years old father by Karakoram Express. The Business class attendant Mr. Rana was so cooperative that he switched on the heater so that my father does not feel cold. I wish all the best to Pakistan Railways that it may come out from the bad phase and May Allah give the right person to PR to run it with sincerity and dedication.
Abdulqadir Hasan Faruqi T
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Rahool
Feb 05, 2012 07:24am
Hi nice to see development, but I am surprised it arrived so late in Pakistan. I am from India, and many such trains known as Rajhdhanis (state capitals to Delhi) and shatabhdhis (between state capitals) are available at much lower fare. Anyway, Good to know.
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husain umar
Feb 05, 2012 08:16am
Appears to belong if not 21st centuary definately to late 20th centuary. Last time when
I was in Pakistan the trains of Pakistan still belonged to fifties. It is off course slow but
that will improve once the rail roads are improved to takle higher speeds.
GOOD LUCK PAKISTAN!
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Adil
Feb 05, 2012 08:53am
The distance is not 600 Miles. It is about 900 Miles or 1500 Kilometerms. 1500 Kilometer in 18 hour is not bad.
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Roy
Feb 05, 2012 10:03am
Looks like a nice train...Just needs to gather some speed. At first I thought it was a typo and it was 10 hours instead of 18 hours. If it is indeed 18 hours, I would rather fly.
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Bashir
Feb 05, 2012 07:43pm
This was just the maiden run that had many VIPs on board. Let us wait and see what happens on the return journey, and later.
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Umar
Feb 06, 2012 04:42pm
Problems with Pakistan Railways is similar to overall degradation of basic services in our society.
This is definitely a positive step and it may turn out to be first drop of the rain. If it is successful, it will encourage more investment into the sector and I have no doubt that Pakistan Railways will turnaround to its past glory.
Having first hand experience, I am fairly optimistic that this time the change is for real.
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ahmed
Feb 06, 2012 10:11pm
google map: dis b/w KHI-LHR is approx 770miles(1240km) , i.e 770/18 = 42mph, that is slow for advanced economies, but may be normal for developing ones like Pakistan.
the trains inside appears to have no buisness look like. they look similar to one i boarded in 1980s , from KHI-ISL. air-codnitioned sleepers.....anyhow, hope something is better than nothing.
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