Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has announced that train operations will resume tomorrow.
He said yesterday that Prime Minister Imran Khan has given permission for the train services to resume, with adherence to standard operation procedures (SOPs) as Pakistan continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic.
Ahmed said at a press conference: “No one will be allowed on the train stations without having a ticket. Nearly 7,000 police personnel have been deployed in Karachi, Lahore, Multan Rawalpindi, Peshawar, and Quetta (stations), and (a state of) emergency has been imposed.”
The police officers will ensure that people do not enter train stations without tickets, the minister said, adding that Prime Minister Khan has given the approval to resume 30 train services from tomorrow.
“If there is a violation of SOPs in any division, the division head will be held responsible, and action will be taken against them,” the minister noted.
Ahmed said that a “rehearsal” will be held at all train stations today.
“If conditions are stable in the month of May, all train services will resume across the country from June 1,” he said, adding: “I am grateful to (National Disaster Management Authority chairman Lieutenant-General) Mohamed Afzal and (Federal Planning and Development Minister) Asad Umar for this.”
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad yesterday, Ahmed said that 15 trains in both directions will be operated from tomorrow to May 31.
He said that limited train operation will be started amid strict observance of SOPs enabling people to celebrate Eid with their loved ones.
The minister said that a “state of emergency” has been declared at Karachi, Multan, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Quetta stations to ensure that only passengers with valid booking can enter the premises.
Ahmed said that those who have not yet got their booking confirmed can book their seats if available.
The minister said more trains would be allowed to operate if the pandemic situation improves.
Ahmed said that the decision to resume full operation of the train services will be taken after observing the overall pandemic situation and people’s compliance with SOPs.
Responding to a question, he clarified that there is no age limit for the passengers.
Meanwhile, despite orders from the provincial government, public transport owners in Punjab have refused to resume operations in the province, with bus stands looking deserted on yesterday morning.
No drivers, conductors or any staff could be seen at the inter-city bus stands.
The Punjab government had issued a notification outlining protocols for inter-city transport following outcry by transport owners over the lack of collaboration on SOPs and reduced fares announced by the authorities.
The notification contains directives for owners of buses and minibuses, terminals, passengers, drivers and conductors.
According to the notification, air-conditioned buses will have a 20% reduced fare, whereas non-air-conditioned buses will charge 78 paisas per km as opposed to the previous 93 paisas.
Passengers boarding and dismounting buses must observe social distancing, it said.
Buses must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after every trip, and the bus terminal will have to be sprayed with chlorine frequently.
The notification also said that passengers must wear masks and sanitisers before boarding buses.
Anyone suffering from a high fever or coughing constantly will not be allowed to board the bus.
Passengers aged 65 and above will be seated alone with the seat next to them kept vacant.
Drivers and conductors will have to get their temperature checked before every journey.
Earlier, the transport owners had voiced their refusal to resume operations in Punjab until the provincial government had set up SOPs in collaboration with them and retract their decision to offer a 20% reduction in fares.
All Pakistan Public Transport Owners Federation (APPTOF) chairperson Asmatullah Niazi had said that the provincial government had not provided the federation with written SOPs, and the representatives of the government did not sit down with them to discuss and formulate guidelines.
Niazi complained of the Punjab government’s earlier announcement of a reduction in fares by 20%.
Furthermore, he said he was informed that anyone over 50 years of age – be they a passenger, driver or conductor – would not be allowed on the bus.
“There’s a 20% cut in fares and now 50% fewer customers. We have to pay toll taxes, traffic challans from the motorway police, bus stand charges, and various other expenses as well.
“We cannot run public transport operations with 90% deficit,” Niazi had added.
A worker sprays disinfectant at a bus terminal in Peshawar after the reopening of the public transport service.
