The schedule changes are intended to improve efficiency and adapt to current infrastructure challenges.
Pakistan Railways has introduced a revised train schedule for the winter season, which came into effect on Thursday. The updated schedule includes minor changes to the departure times of 16 trains, the restoration of previously suspended services and adjustments to routes affected by recent flooding.
The schedule changes are designed to improve operational efficiency while adapting to current infrastructure challenges. Four previously suspended trains have been reintroduced as part of the new timetable, and nine trains that previously had temporary stops will now have regular stops at designated stations.
Among the changes, the Allama Iqbal Express will now depart Sialkot at 7:30 am instead of 7:00 am earlier. The Awam Express will leave Karachi at 8:00 am instead of 7:30 am.
The departure of the Narowal passenger train has been revised to 7:25 am from 7:00 am, while the Faiz Ahmad Faiz passenger train will now depart Narowal at 5:00 am, ahead of its previous schedule of 5:30 am The Shalimar Express is now scheduled to depart Lahore at 7:10 am instead of 7:30 am.
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Nine trains have been granted permanent stops instead of temporary ones. These include Rehman Baba Express, Karachi Express, Shalimar Express, Jaffar Express, Pak Business Express, Pakpattan Express, Tezgam and Millat Express.
Flood damage to railway tracks has led to further adjustments, particularly for trains leaving or arriving in Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Rawalpindi and other major cities. The Karakoram Express, operating as 42-Down, will depart from Lahore at the scheduled time of 3 pm and travel via Sahiwal.
The Pak Business Express (34-Down) will leave Lahore at 4:30 pm as scheduled. However, the Karachi Express (16-Down) will depart 45 minutes later than usual, now scheduled for 6:45 pm instead of 6:00 am. The Green Line (6-Down) towards Karachi will depart from Lahore at 8:50 pm as per its usual schedule. Passengers of the Shah Hussain Express (44-Down) will be accommodated on the Green Line today and are requested to arrive one hour before their departure to ensure smooth boarding.
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Several other trains will also be diverted due to sections damaged by floods. Pakistan Express (46-Down) to Karachi and Pakistan Express (45-Up) from Karachi will travel on the Lahore-Sahiwal section. The Millat Express (18-Down), which leaves Faisalabad at 2:00 pm, will pass through Chak Jhumra, Sangla Hill and Lahore-Sahiwal. The Rehman Baba Express (48-Down) to Karachi and its return service (47-Up) will also follow the Lahore-Sahiwal route. The Millat Express (17-Up), arriving from Karachi, will pass through Sahiwal-Lahore, Sangla Hill, Chak Jhumra and Faisalabad.
All other trains operating to Karachi, Rawalpindi and other cities are running as per their scheduled timings.
To assist commuters, passenger facilitation staff will remain available at the station round the clock, following the instructions of Lahore Divisional Railway Superintendent Inamullah. Passengers seeking further guidance or updates are advised to contact the railway inquiry numbers at 042-117 or 042-99070011.
