QUETTA: Pakistan has launched Balochistan’s first Jinnah People’s Train, introducing a daily passenger rail service linking Kachlak and Sariab through a 32-kilometre upgraded railway corridor in and around Quetta, the capital of the country’s southwestern province.
Pakistan Railways Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi and Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti inaugurated the service at Quetta Railway Station on Friday.
A historic and people-friendly step for #Quetta, #Balochistan
The Jinnah People Train Service from Saryab to Kuchlak has been launched by CM balochistan Mir @PakSarfrazbugti for the people of #Quetta, #Balochistan.
This is the first ever initiative of its kind in the history… pic.twitter.com/x93xdIigqB
— Meena Majeed Baloch, MPA (@Meena_Majeed) September 29, 2026
Officials said the railway track was upgraded within 120 days at an estimated cost of around Rs3 billion. The service is intended to provide safe, affordable and convenient transport for people travelling between Quetta and its surrounding communities.
Seven stations connected by the new service
The train will operate daily and stop at seven stations along the route:
- Kachlak
- Bileli
- Sheikh Manda
- GOR Halt
- Quetta
- Lor Kariz Halt
- Sariab
The project also involved construction, renovation and upgrading work at several railway stations.
Read Also: Pakistan Security Forces Launch Operation After Terrorists Attack Passenger Train in Balochistan
New turntables were installed at Kachlak and Sariab, while Sheikh Manda Station underwent improvement works. Bileli Station was reconstructed and upgraded, while GOR Halt was rebuilt with solar power, electricity facilities and new passenger seating.
Development work was also completed at Quetta and Lor Kariz stations.
Jinnah People’s Train launched in Quetta, Balochistan 🇵🇰 …
32 km railway track from Kuchlak to Sariab railway station has been fully upgraded. The project was completed in a record 120 days at a cost of Rs 3 billion.
The route comprises seven stations: Kuchlak, Baleli,… pic.twitter.com/awQykTwm9l
— Subhan Javed 786 (@SubhanJaved911) September 30, 2026
Coaches manufactured in Islamabad
The passenger coaches for the Jinnah People’s Train were manufactured at Pakistan Railways’ Carriage Factory in Islamabad over four months.
Officials said the service would benefit students, employees, businesspeople, women, children, labourers and other passengers who travel regularly between Quetta and nearby areas.
بلوچستان کے عام شہری کو بہتر اور باعزت سفری سہولیات کی فراہمی وزیرِ اعلیٰ بلوچستان میر سرفراز بگٹی کے عوامی وژن کا اہم حصہ ہے۔
اسی وژن کے تحت کوئٹہ میں جناح پیپلز میٹرو ٹرین کا آغاز کر دیا گیا ہے۔ کچلاک سے سریاب تک 32 کلومیٹر کا سفر جدید، محفوظ، آسان اور کم خرچ سفری سہولت کے… pic.twitter.com/RabDmXI8kE
— Chief Minister’s Office Balochistan (@CMOBalochistan) September 29, 2026
Route expansion under consideration
Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the provincial government was considering expanding the service.
He said the route could eventually be extended from Kachlak towards the Bostan Industrial Zone and Mastung, while the number of trains operating on the corridor could also be increased.
Read Also: Balochistan Train Attack: What Does BLA Want?
The provincial government said the service would provide an alternative to road transport for residents of Quetta and its suburbs, helping reduce commuting difficulties, travel time and transportation costs.
The launch marks a new development in Balochistan’s public transport network, linking Quetta with several surrounding communities through a daily passenger rail service.
