Islamabad to Lahore: Senate chairman breaks tradition, prefers train over plane

Sadiq Sanjrani says trip aims at promoting rail travel among Pakistanis

Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani preferred train over airplane on Sunday when he embarked on his first official visit to Lahore after taking charge.

He was received by Pakistan Railways CEO Javaid Anwar and Divisional Superintendent Lahore Sufian Dogar upon arrival. The railway officials thanked the newly-elected Senate chairman for choosing train for the journey.

Sanjrani was presented a bouquet on behalf of Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique and given special protocol on the occasion.



Speaking to reporters after arriving in Lahore, the Senate chairman said he will visit Allama Iqbal's mausoleum and Data Darbar during his stay in the city.

Sanjrani in a rail car. PHOTO: INP

The Balochistan politician set a different precedent in a bid to promote train travel as most officials and politicians prefer to take the aerial route while embarking on official trips.

Before today’s event, only President Mamnoon Hussain had opted to commute in a train when he travelled from Lahore to Rawalpindi by Subak Kharam Express in July last year.

The trip, he had said, was aimed at promoting rail travel among people for being comparatively safe and comfortable transport.