COVID-19: Railways Ministry order notification to suspend operations
Lahore (19th mar, 2020): Government of Pakistan Ministry of Railways has reportedly issued notification to suspend all operations across state.
According to reports of Baaghi TV, the Railways Ministry has issued the notification to stop all operations across the state in order to contain the spread of Coronavirus, identified as COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus which had its outbreak in China’s Wuhan region in late 2019, was officially declared to be a global health epidemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on the 11th of March, 2020.
Reportedly there are a total of 343 confirmed cases in Pakistan alone, with nearly 213 cases in Sindh, 45 in Balochistan, 34 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 33 in Punjab and 2 in Capital territory, Islamabad. According to reports of Baaghi TV, there have so far been two confirmed deaths due to the novel virus, both reported in Pakistan’s northern region.
Mr. Umar Riaz, Director of Operations has reportedly issued the notification given the circumstances, to ensure health safety of the masses. Reportedly, the measure have been taken by the Pakistan Railways to “restrict the spread of Corona Virus”. It has been stated that the decision will help the government in containing the spread by suspending all train routes with effect from the 22nd of March, 2020 till further notice.
According to reports of Baaghi TV, the suspended routes include:
- Khushhal Khan Khattak Express (19 UP / 20 DN), [PSC-KC]
- Akbar Express (23 UP / 24 DN), [LHR-QTA]
- Sindh Express (29 UP / 30 DN), [KC-MUL]
- Ravi Express (121 UP / 122 DN), [LHR-SKO]
- Shah Latif (151 UP / 152 DN), [DBK-MPS]
- Rohi Passenger (215 UP / 216 DN), [ROH-KPR]
Moreover, sources have confirmed that the Pakistan Railways will full facilitate all passengers who will be inconvenienced by the suspension. The passengers who have had advance bookings will be “accommodated in other trains of their choice on priority”. In case, they have yet to avail their tickets, the Ministry of railways will refund them.
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