uhammad Irfan, a NESPAK engineer from Muzaffargarh, recently planned a trip from Lahore to his hometown via Multan. “My children wanted to experience travelling by train,” he says. “We usually travel by road — via the M-5 (motorway) — from Lahore to Multan, but after watching some glowing reviews on YouTube, we decided to have a go.”

Despite the excitement, Irfan’s pre-journey experience was frustrating. He attempted to book seats via the telephone inquiry number provided by the contracting company. “I dialled the number multiple times and was kept on hold for a good half an hour,” he recounts. Ultimately, he had to visit the railway station in person to secure his four AC coach tickets, each costing Rs 3,200 for the Lahore-Multan segment.

Once aboard, his family enjoyed the journey, though they missed some of the old charm. “Everything was smooth, except for a strong odour in the [train] coach,” he notes. “We also missed the old-time vendors, and the clamour and shouts of pakorawalas at Khanewal station.”

In a long train journey, passengers prefer comfort, convenience and quality food. That’s precisely what the revamped Shalimar Express aims to deliver. The train, which runs between Karachi and Lahore via Faisalabad and Multan, has lately undergone a dramatic transformation. Leased to a private contractor, AA Enterprises, it’s now a showcase of comfortable coaches, modern amenities, and sumptuous food — making it one of the most talked-about railway journeys in the country. AA Enterprises representative Irfan Bhatti confirms that the train now offers a range of seating, from economy class to luxurious AC parlours.

Pakistan Railways spokesperson Babar Raza tells TNS that the train consists of coaches that have been imported from China. Each seat can rotate, allowing four people to sit facing each other — ideal for families. The coaches also feature charging stations at every seat.

Water dispensers are a fresh addition. The train management makes sure that the drinking water provided is filtered. What’s more, staff in uniform are present to assist the passengers and maintain cleanliness.

Most passengers this scribe spoke to had positive feedback to share about the train’s new features and services. They highlighted the Executive Lounge and the Dining Car, and spoke of the coaches that look elegant and are furnished with comfy sofas, well-arranged tables, modern lighting and complimentary amenities such as a meal, Wi-Fi, and mobile phone charging stations.

The question for the Pakistan Railways remains: can modern luxury, amenities and delicious food consistently win against the sheer speed of a motorway journey?

According to Aliya Taqi, a passenger who had just arrived from Karachi, privacy is a key improvement; some compartments have curtains and the train also offers small compartments for individual passengers. Overall, the seating arrangements are well-planned and efficiently utilise space.

Taqi especially mentions the Dining Car which is “equipped with a kitchen where food is freshly prepared. The train offers a wide range of options, including continental, traditional desi food, pizzas, burgers and vegetarian meals — the first time in Pakistan that so many options have been available on a single train.”

Naeem Haq, another passenger who booked meals with his ticket, says they didn’t need to pay extra. “If you want extra items, you can always use the a la carte service.” He also talks of meal breaks that have been extended to 25-30 minutes, giving families ample time to eat comfortably.

n social media platforms, those who travelled by Shalimar Express widely praise the train’s cleanliness, organisation and safety measures, with many comparing it to international standards. But some find issues too, the most significant being with regard to the journey time.

Irfan says, “The train departed from Lahore Railway Station at 7am for Multan and arrived in Multan at 1pm, a good six-hour journey. My motorway journey time is only three hours. For this reason, I may not take the train again.”

The question for the Pakistan Railways remains: can modern luxury, amenities and delicious food consistently win against the sheer speed of a motorway journey?

Ahsan Raza is the editor of Minute Mirror. He can be reached at [email protected]