Cultural diversity, history: Azadi train will resume country-wide journey today

Will travel to Lahore, Multan, Sukkur, Larkana, Quetta, and Karachi


APP/sehrish Wasif August 15, 2016
According to Azadi Train Incharge Sajid Bashir Raja, said the large number of visitors showed their keen interest to know about the country’s history and culture. PHOTO: APP

RAWALPINDI: The Azadi Train showcasing cultural diversity, history and struggle of forefathers and armed forces will resume its country-wide journey from Rawalpindi Railway Station on Monday after a two-day stay here.

The train — a symbol of peace, unity, and freedom and prepared by the Pakistan Railways – had left Margalla Station for Peshawar on August 12 and returned to Rawalpindi on Saturday midnight night.

The train will leave the Rawalpindi Railway Station at 9:15am for Gujar Khan, the next stop of its down-country journey.

The train will cover a 4,000 kilometre-long journey and it will stop at all railway stations of tehsil, district and divisional headquarters along with the platforms of major cities.

The train, showing glimpses of the culture of four provinces, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan besides creating awareness among the people of the efforts and sacrifices rendered by the forefathers for the creation of Pakistan.

The train will also stay at Jhelum, Lalamusa, Mandi Bahuddin and Malakwal.

It will travel to Lahore, Multan, Sukkur, Larkana, Quetta, and Karachi and will end its journey on September 11. Thousands of people, including families, from the twin cities and suburban areas in large number, visited the Azadi Train since its arrival at the Rawalpindi station.

They took keen interest in the picture galleries and floats depicting the culture of the federating units.

Families, in great number, were among the visitors.

Children and elders and families were seen taking selfies on their mobile phones capturing wallpapers with heroes of Pakistan Movement.

While talking to The Express Tribune, Sara Khan, assistant director of the Azadi Train project said, “We have tried to encapsulate the past, present, and future of the country in one train, portraying its history, rich culture, geographical diversities and pluralistic society.”

Fayaz Khan, who was roaming in the train coaches along with his family, said it was a beautiful gift for the nation on the occasion of the Independence Day as it created awareness among the masses of the struggle of our forefathers for an independent country.

Pakistan Railways Works Manager Abdul Rehman said that six out of 18 coaches of the locomotive had floats projecting the culture of the four provinces as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.

“These floats are a visual illustration of the historical sites, traditional food, music, and dresses of each province,” he said.

Moreover, the other six coaches have galleries exhibiting pictures of the Pakistan movement, achievements, and sacrifices of the armed forces, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project and history of Pakistan Railways, he said.

According to Azadi Train Incharge Sajid Bashir Raja, said the large number of visitors showed their keen interest to know about the country’s history and culture.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15th, 2016.

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