Special Azadi train is set to start its anticipated journey from August 12 from Islamabad onwards to Karachi in order to mark the 70th Independence Day of Pakistan. According to Pakistan Railways (PR) spokesman on Thursday, Secretary, Ministry of Railways, Parveen Agha visited Carriage Factory, to examine the train and check on preparations which were at final stage.
She appreciated the efforts of the Carriage Factory staff and showed interest in upgradation of the factory. She also appreciated efforts of Rawalpindi and Lahore divisions of Railway for the expedition of 'Azadi Train'. More than 100 labourers were working to finalise the models based on cultural heritage of Pakistan. The PR Chairperson/Secretary also visited Margalla Station to check the arrangements made for inauguration of 'Azadi Train'. Meanwhile, PR Police has devised a comprehensive security plan for the protection of special Azadi Train. The PR authorities would also seek help of other law enforcement agencies,including Rangers, FC.
The Azadi Train will portray genesis of Pakistan, the country's history and its bright future besides, highlighting cultural diversity of the provinces and different regions of the country. Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) will arrange 36 folk artistes, ie singers and musicians, puppeteers to accompany the Azadi Train 2017, for which funding will be provided by Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage (IB&NH).
The artistes and singers will perform at all major railway stations, including Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan, Sukkur, Quetta and Karachi as per schedule of Azadi train. It will stay at every station to provide an opportunity to the people across the country to see the beautiful cultural and historical models displayed on the train. The special train includes five galleries, depicting sacrifices rendered for achieving independence. The galleries also depict sacrifices of the armed forces and Indian atrocities in the occupied Kashmir, besides depicting culture of all the provinces. The journey of the special train will begin from Margalla Station Islamabad on August 12 to conclude on reaching Karachi on 25th of current month.-PR