Pakistan Railways will resume the Shalimar Express from August 14. The service will reconnect Lahore and Karachi through Raiwind and Sahiwal.
The revised route follows flood damage to railway bridges at Qila Sattar Shah and Masan Kallar. Consequently, the Faisalabad route will remain closed.
Shalimar Express Adds Five Stops
The train will make five additional stops under the revised route. These include Kot Lakhpat, Raiwind, Okara, Sahiwal and Sadiqabad.
The changes will provide passengers with more travel options between Lahore, central Punjab and Karachi. Meanwhile, Pakistan Railways has announced a 14% fare discount across all classes.
The discount will make train travel more affordable for passengers using the restored service. Officials expect the revised route to support passengers affected by the Faisalabad route closure.
Previous Route Faced Financial Losses
The Shalimar Express previously operated through Sahiwal after its restoration in 2023. However, Pakistan Railways later shifted the service back to the Faisalabad route.
Officials cited low passenger numbers and financial losses behind the earlier route change. The latest decision will restore the Sahiwal route while bridge repairs continue.
The move allows Pakistan Railways to maintain the Lahore-Karachi connection despite infrastructure damage. Passengers will also benefit from additional stops and reduced fares.
The service will begin operating on the revised route from August 14. Authorities are expected to monitor passenger demand and operations following the route change.
