A railway section between Balochistan's Sibi and Harnai districts, which was restored after 17 years in October last year, was hailed by locals as a major step towards prosperity.
The Sabi-Harnai railway track was closed in August 2006 due to terrorist activities.
While the local people were facing social, economic and other problems due to the train shutdown, there were also difficulties in religious festivals, cultural gatherings and other communications.
The local people of Harnai had to travel through 6 districts to reach Sabi which was costly and time consuming.
The closure of the train track stopped the delivery of coal by train from Harnai to other cities of Pakistan and Sibi and other areas lost fresh agricultural produce from Harnai.
Pakistan Army and FC Balochistan (North) established peace here by carrying out operations against terrorists in Sibi, Sangan, Harnai and adjoining areas.
Attempts to rehabilitate the Sabi-Harnai railway track have been made from time to time, but construction gained real momentum in 2023.
Pakistan Army and FC Balochistan (North) took over the security duties of Railway Engineers and NLC staff and thus this train maintenance work was completed within a short period of time.
The people of Sabi and Harnai hailed the train restoration as a positive step for the region's prosperity, economic development and comfortable travel facilities.
Sardar Ibrahim Khan of Sabi said, “Prior to 2006 when the track was active, trading was very common. Sugarcane, coal and other commodities were being traded.”
“Terrorists had destroyed this train track which caused a lot of damage to our area,” Harnai.
Santosh Kumar, a Hindu Community Sabi said: “People of our Hindu community live in Harnai. In 2006, they lost this connection with us due to the train shutdown.”
“This train has started with the efforts of security agencies and railway administration. Our Harnai people are very happy with this,” Malik Muzaffar Tareen, transporter Harnai.
Harnai citizen said: “Rehabilitating the Sabi-Harnai train will provide us with employment and bring prosperity to the region.”
A resident Babar Kuch said: “We are thankful to Pakistan Army and FC that now the train is running and the security agencies are standing side by side to protect the train.”
He said: “With the rehabilitation of the Sabi-Harnai railway track, the delivery of coal and other agricultural commodities has started here, which will further accelerate the economic prosperity and social development of these areas.”
The Sabi to Harnai train is being run under the protection of Pakistan Army and FC Balochistan (North) and providing a comfortable, cheap and safe journey to the people.
