The Azadi Train representing cultures of different areas of Pakistan left for Rawalpindi from Peshawar cantonment railway station on Sunday. A coach is namesake of Pakistan Army and is called 'Hum Sab Ka Pakistan.' The coach highlights the sacrifices and symbolises self sufficiency in defense as well as successful restoration of internally displaced Persons (IDP).
The brutality of Indian army in Indian occupied Kashmir is also depicted through images. Azadi Train will complete its journey by reaching its destination Karachi at 06:00pm on 25th August. Sharing the schedule of the train, the officials said the Azadi Train began its journey from Margalla Railway Station to highlight country's rich culture and different phases of the Pakistan Movement, which arrived on late Saturday night. Azadi Train with 6 floats and 5 galleries sets for journey. They said it has left for Rawalpindi from Peshawar cantonment railway station and will leave for Lahore at 9:15am, they added. Symbolising the National culture, the Azadi train will travel through different cities of the country namely, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Multan, Sukkur and Hyderabad.
After touching different cities including Lahore, Multan, Khanpur, Sukkur, Sibbi, Quetta and Hyderabad, the train will reach Karachi Cantt on August 25 at 6pm. On arrival at Peshawar Cantt Railway Station a large number of people welcomed it. The massive firework was let off as the Azadi Train arrived at the station with the people chanting slogans of "Pakistan Zindabad".
The Cantt Station Peshawar was decorated in a befitting manner to welcome the Azadi Train, with artists performing regional dances of all the provinces. DS Peshawar Railway Station Hanif Gul was also present on the occasion. The visitors took keen interest in the cultural floats of all the four provinces, including Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The train was inaugurated by Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb in Islamabad on Saturday. The train representing six cultural models is attracting a lot of visitors. The train journey in different parts of the country has been organised as part of Independence Day celebrations. According to the in-charge Azadi Train, the train would cover about 4,000 kilometers long journey in 15 days which would culminate at Karachi.
He said the train would stop at all the big stations for two to three hours where musical programmes and cultural dances by the artists would be organised by Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) for entertaining the public participating in Independence Day celebrations.
The main objectives for running the Azadi Train, he said, were to highlight the aspects of Freedom Movement, sacrifices of Armed Forces for the defence of the country, besides culture heritage of all the regions. Social activist Reham Khan, who was also present at the station, appreciated the Ministry of Railways and other organisations for arranging such a beautiful cultural train in connection with Independence Day. She said the train was a symbol of unity, which reminded one of the sacrifices rendered by the forefathers for the independence of the beloved country. Later, the PNCA artists also performed at the station and entertained the audience. The train will resume its journey after a night's stay at the Cantt Railway Station.