People’s Train Service to Start Between Quetta and Kuchlak

The Balochistan government has announced the launch of a People’s Train Service between Quetta and Kuchlak and has said it will release Rs. 1.4 billion for the project in the coming days.

Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti made the announcement during a meeting with Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi at the Chief Minister Secretariat. The meeting focused on reviving railway projects in Balochistan through a joint initiative between the provincial government and Pakistan Railways.

Officials said both sides reached an agreement in principle to launch joint development projects, including the People’s Train Service.

The federal minister welcomed the decision and said it marked the first time in the history of Pakistan Railways that a province had taken such an initiative under the devolution framework.

He described the move as a sign of cooperation between the federation and the provinces. Abbasi said other provinces had shown interest in local railway services, but Balochistan had taken the lead.

He added that the project would operate as a joint effort between Pakistan Railways and the provincial government. Chief Minister Bugti said the Balochistan government would fund the construction of new railway stations and the upgrading of existing infrastructure.

He added that if the Quetta-Kuchlak service proves successful, the government plans to extend it to Mastung, Pishin, and other parts of the province.