Pakistan Railways to run 11 special passenger trains for Eid

The Pakistan Railways on Thursday decided to run 11 special passenger trains on Eidul Fitr.

According to the Ministry of Railways, the first Eid special train from Karachi to Lahore will depart on Friday. Similarly, a special train from Lahore to Karachi will also depart tomorrow (May 7).

The Eid special train from Karachi to Rawalpindi will leave on May 11 of this month while the Eid special train from Karachi to Multan will leave on May 12.

The government had earlier announced Eid holidays from May 10 to 15 with a "clear intention of reducing national mobility".

Read more: Govt announces six-day Eid holidays

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) also banned Chandrat bazaars, including mehndi, jewellery/ornaments and clothing stalls.

The statement said that all markets, businesses and shops will remain closed except for essential services including grocery store, pharmacies, bakeries, vegetable, fruit, chicken and meat shops and petrol pumps.

On Wednesday, Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa as well as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) announced the imposition of lockdowns during the holidays in light of the decisions taken by the NCOC late last month.

Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid warned that the next 15 to 20 days were “very important” in the government’s efforts to bring the coronavirus situation under control. She urged the people to celebrate Eid with simplicity and to follow precautionary measures.