Pakistan's luxury train completes maiden run

Nigeria Sun (IANS) Saturday 4th February, 2012

Pakistan's first luxury business train completed its maiden journey between the Lahore and Karachi cities Saturday.

The Business Express was launched by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani at 3.30 p.m. Friday in the eastern city of Lahore Friday.

It reached the southern port city of Karachi at 9.45 a.m. Saturday, covering 1,200 km and running 15 min before the scheduled time, Geo News reported.

The train took 18 hours instead of 30 taken by ordinary trains to cover the distance. It has 13 luxury coaches.

A one-way ticket cost Rs.5,000 while a return ticket cost Rs.9,000. It is equipped with televisions and laptops.

Gilani congratulated staff on the train's launch.

It will be jointly operated by Pakistan Railways and Karachi-based Four Brothers International Pvt Ltd.

"It's a big, big initiative from the private sector, which we have welcomed with open arms," said Arif Azim, chairman of Pakistan Railways.