CM Bugti inaugurates Jinnah Peoples Metro Train Service in Quetta

QUETTA, Sep 29 (APP): Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti formally inaugurated the province’s first Jinnah Peoples Metro Train Service in Quetta, announcing free travel facilities for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

He also revealed plans to expand the service to two trains and extend its reach to Pishin, Bostan, and Mastung in the future.

The inauguration ceremony was held on Tuesday with Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi accompanying the Chief Minister. Both leaders unveiled the plaque and participated in the train’s maiden test journey. The event was attended by Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Mir Liaquat Ali Lehri, provincial ministers, members of the assembly, Chairman Pakistan Railways, Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan, senior officials, and representatives of political parties.

Welcoming the federal minister, CM Bugti praised his commitment to public service and highlighted the cross-party participation in the ceremony as evidence of the project’s collective and public-oriented nature. He described the Jinnah Peoples Metro Train Service as the first of its kind in Balochistan, aimed at providing citizens with safe, comfortable, and affordable travel.

Sarfraz Bugti explained that while the initial plan involved importing engines and coaches from China at a cost of Rs. 50–60 billion with a completion timeline of three to four years, the project was expedited by manufacturing new engines and coaches through Pakistan Railways. This decision saved both time and resources while utilizing national capacity.

The Chief Minister announced that the service will be expanded to two trains by next year, operating in both directions. Work has already begun on upgrading the railway track to the Bostan Industrial Estate, with future plans to extend the metro service to Pishin, Bostan, and Mastung.

He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Frontier Corps Balochistan, and other institutions for their cooperation in completing the project. Bugti acknowledged minor delays in August due to certain obstacles but noted that these challenges were successfully overcome.

Highlighting the government’s priorities, Bugti said that the welfare and development of the people of Balochistan remain central to provincial policy. He emphasized that the metro train service is a positive step forward for the province, crediting the collective efforts of the people, bureaucracy, parliamentarians, provincial cabinet, Pakistan Railways, and political parties.

He further announced that travel on the Jinnah Peoples Metro Train Service will be completely free for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, while fares for other passengers will remain subsidized and affordable. Bugti also commended Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan for accelerating the project’s implementation.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the people of Balochistan desire peace, progress, and prosperity. He stressed that while dialogue remains open, no ideology can be imposed through violence or the use of arms against the state.