The Karachi Cantt Railway Station was witness to something refreshingly different as the special Azadi train rolled into the station. The Azadi Special train is a special train commissioned by the Pakistan Railways on the occasion of Paksitan’s Independence on 14 August. The train has been travelling since 12 August from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Karachi is its final destination where it will stay till September 11.
The train was greeted enthusiastically by school children who were dressed in the various cultural dresses of Pakistan representing the different communities of the country. They would be performing tableaux and nationals songs for the passengers when they arrived.
The Azadi special train contains 14 carriages and five decorated floats. The floats are colourfully decorated with mountains, mosques and famous landmarks of Pakistan. The carriages contain galleries depicting the history of Pakistan including the Pakistan Movement, famous personalities of the movement and the armed forces and the sacrifices they have made for Pakistan.
The trains passengers, were mostly railway staff, people associated with the Arts Council, Lok Virsa, ISPR and the ministry of information due to security reasons. The passengers were very pleased with the train and said they had been greeted with passion everywhere they had stopped and the train had been a very pleasant and educational experience. The Azadi special Train will remain in Karachi till September11 where anyone can go and visit from 11 am to 1pm and 3pm to 11pm.