To facilitate the zaireen (pilgrims) attending Urs of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, Pakistan Railway (PR) is running two special shuttle trains from Kotri to Dadu on June 17, 18, 19 and 20. The first shuttle left Kotri on Tuesday) at 8am, and returned to Kotri from Dadu at 4:00 pm. In the same way the 2nd shuttle left Kotri at 11:00 am and returned to Kotri from Dadu at 6:00 pm.
"The move is aimed at facilitating the pilgrims who are going to attend Shahbaz Qalandar's Urs," said Divisional Commercial Officer (DCO), Pakistan Railways Nasir Nazir. He said that PR besides providing fast and comfortable commuter service for its passengers, would be able to earn more revenue through operating these two special trains during the Urs, that would help the ailing department to minimise its annual financial deficit.
He said hundreds of passengers would avail this economic travelling facility from both up and down sides. However, he said that despite wide publicity, response of pilgrims was not satisfactory and the number of commuters on the first day dashed our expectations. "We will see the passengers' response on Tuesday, and if we could not be able to meet the expenditures from the operation of the shuttles, then we will have to restrict the service till 18 June," he added.