Pakistan Railways’ `Azadi Train received traditionally warm well come by twin cities citizen on independence day

Pakistan Railways’ `Azadi Train  received traditionally warm well come by twin cities citizen on independence day

By, Asghar Ali Mubarak

Islamabad- The Pakistan Railways’ Azadi Train is a symbol of national unity `Azadi Train’ has received overwhelming and traditionally warm well come by twin cities citizen on independence day, the train got this  response from locals after  its initial journey  after came from  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Azadi Train is decorated, prepared by the staff of carriage factory Islamabad under supervision of Managing Director Pakistan Railways Carriage Factory Islamabad most talented officer Muhammad Yousaf for the celebration of Independence Day 14th August 2016.The train encapsulates the traditional folk culture and important events which have transpired. The train is a visual representation of the China-Pak Economic Corridor, operation Zarb-e-Azb, violence in Indian-occupied Kashmir, and a glimpse into the history of Pakistan Railways. The Azadi train started its journey as part of 70th Independence Day’ celebrations to create awareness among the masses especially young generation about efforts and sacrifices rendered in creation of the motherland. During two day stay at Rawalpindi Railway Station, thousands of people gathered to welcome the beautifully decorated Azadi train. The Pakistan Railways’ Azadi Train is a symbol of national unity depicts the past, present and future and struggles for a developing country. The Azadi Train is a customized commemorative train prepared through the joint efforts of Pakistan Railways, Ministry of Information Broadcasting and National Heritage and Inter Services Public Relations. In Month of August Pakistan came into the world and Become Islamic Country. Azadi Train started the journey from Islamabad Margalla Station on 11th of this month. Pakistan Railways’ Azadi Train remains two days at Rawalpindi stations where a large numbers of peoples all walks of life came and became the part of this historical moments. They praised the efforts of Pakistan Railways Skilled preparing Azadi Train which is great history moments of Pakistan for the youth and also a symbol of unity, struggles, and success. The journey will take off from Peshawar on Friday and will reach Karachi on the 5th of next month. Folk artists and singers from across the country will perform at all major stations. The train will stay overnight at sixteen stations including Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sahiwal, Multan, Samma Sata, Sukkur, Sibi, Quetta, Nawabshah, Hyderabad, Karachi, Larkana, Jacobabad, Dera Ghazi Khan and Kundian Station.The Six out of eighteen coaches of Azadi train have floats projecting the culture of four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. Other six coaches are dedicated to the history of Pakistan, Kashmir Movement, achievements and sacrifices of Armed Forces, development projects and History of Pakistan Railways. Remaining six coaches are attached for operational and administrative purposes. Earlier on other day the Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid said that Azadi Train is a symbol of national unity which depicts the past, present and future of the country. Addressing the launching ceremony of the Azadi Train along with Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq and the adviser to prime minister for national history and literary heritage, Irfan Siddiqui, the minister said that the train would inform the new generation especially students about the achievements made by Pakistan.He said that through the gallery of historic pictures, the new generation would learn how Muslims of the sub-continent struggled under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for achieving Pakistan. The train consists of coaches representing the culture and traditions of all four provinces of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir and is scheduled to cover some 4,000 kilometers in a journey of a month which will culminate at the port city of Karachi. The Azadi Train will also depict the country’s fight against terrorism and extremism to eliminate this scrounges from the society, he remarked. It will also update the masses about the steps taken for progress and development of the country, he added. He also congratulated the railways’ minister and staff for preparing Azadi Train on behalf of the government and the prime minister. The Azadi Train started its one-month long country-wide journey from Margalla Station Islamabad along with floats depicting different aspects of Pakistan’s culture which will highlight sacrifices of heroes of the independence movement .Mean while the Pakistan Railways Administration has decided to increase the time and area of travelling of Azadi Special train to entertain maximum people on the direction of Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique.The Minister congratulated the Managing Director Pakistan Railways Carriage Factory Islamabad  Muhammad Yousaf  PR Chief Executive Officer M Javaid Anwar, Advisor Anjum Pervaiz, Additional General Manager Traffic Maqsoodun Nabi, Additional GM Infrastructure Hamaiyun Rasheed, Additional GM Mechanical Liaqat Chughtai, Chief Marketing Manager Abdul Hameed Razi, Director Property and land Arshad Salam Khatak and other on successful launch of the train while presiding over a meeting .He directed the authorities to include Faisalabad and Sargodha section in the route of the train so that entertainment opportunities could be provided to the people of this area as well.He also directed to ensure a good entertainment and security of the people at those railway stations where the Azadi train to be stopped. Earlier the train starts its one month long journey from Peshawar on August 12.  The Pakistan Railways ‘Azadi Train’ has received overwhelming response from locals during its initial journey across various railway stations of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.Azadi train started its journey as part of 70th Independence Day’ celebrations to create awareness among the masses especially young generation about efforts and sacrifices rendered in creation of the motherland.During stay at Peshawar, Attock and Nowshera Railway Stations, thousands of people gathered to welcome the beautifully decorated Azadi train.Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Advisor to Prime Minister Amir Muqam, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab, Senior Minister KP Enayatullah, KP Speaker Asad Qaiser and senior officials of Pakistan Railways also visited the train.The Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra appreciated the efforts of the Railways official to make this event a great success. He said, this activity will promote unity among the people belonging to different provinces and help foster soft image of the country.The Parliamentary Affairs Minister welcomed the train at Attock Railway Station, he wrote in his comments that it is wonderful day to see such a beautiful cultural and historical exhibition by Pakistan Railways.He also appreciated the efforts of all the Railway officials who worked day and night for the preparations to run Azadi train. He said Azadi train is a beautiful gift for the whole nation. During stay at Attock and Nowshera Railway stations, a large number of people were present for the reception of the train. The local people start chanting slogans of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ when the train crossed various areas. Azadi Train had three different parts consisting of six floats, six galleries and six operational vehicles. Six floats will display the cultural traditions of four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK. Two coaches are reserved for the armed forces to highlight the sacrifices of the war heroes and pay tribute to their services to the nation. Another coach is highlighting different aspects of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and other development projects of the government. The other coaches, was allocated for the Independence Movement of Kashmir and Ministry of Railways. In charge Azadi Train Sajid Bashir Raja said the Azadi Train would stop at all the major stations for three to four hours. The train journey was jointly organized by Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage to mark the Independence Day celebrations. The Azadi Train would cover around 4,000 kilometer distance within a month.Two compartments of the train have been allotted to highlight different parts of the freedom movement and the services of the armed force in the independence of Pakistan. Train will also represent the culture of various Pakistan areas including Gilgit Bultistan and Azad Kashmir, Pakistan Railways Special ‘Azadi Train’ from Peshawar to Karachi, regarding the Independence Day celebration Journey, for which all arrangements have been done by the Pakistan Railways. The resident of carriage factory colony Rawalpindi Azhar Ali along his children present at railway station   said that the beautifully decorated train with glimpses of country’s national heroes’ sacrifices reminds us the great contribution of our forefathers. He said that my family members were waiting to just one glance of this beautiful train. The multi-coloured bogeys of the train depicting culture of the four provinces, FATA, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan are ready to roll out.