By: Mushtaq Raza
The passenger train running from Khewra to Mandi Bahauddin should be restored. Khewra is home to the famous Khewra Salt Mine, the ICI Soda Ash Factory, and the nearby Dandot Cement Factory. Additionally, several small-scale factories under the Chipsum group contribute hundreds of millions of rupees annually in taxes to the national treasury.
Despite Khewra being considered a stronghold of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the long-standing demand to restore this train service has yet to be addressed. The suspension of the train has severely affected the working class of Khewra, especially laborers employed at the Salt Mine, ICI, and Dandot Cement Factory.
A significant portion of goods produced by these three major industries used to be transported across the country and abroad via freight trains. However, due to the negligence of the railway department and the lack of interest from local politicians, this train service has not been revived.
If even a little attention were given to this city, it could become a major source of revenue worth billions. Every year, thousands of tourists from across Pakistan and abroad visit the Khewra Salt Mine. If a weekly train service were introduced from Lahore and Rawalpindi for domestic tourists, it could significantly boost railway revenues.
Currently, the government is led by PML-N. One Minister of State for Railways is from Jhelum, and the Federal Minister for Railways is from Rawalpindi—both staunch PML-N members. In such circumstances, the non-operational status of the Khewra train raises serious questions.
The suspension of this train has dealt a severe blow to the trade of around 20 major towns and dozens of villages. This train served as a vital link between three constituencies: Sargodha, Mandi Bahauddin, and Jhelum. People from Ghareebwal, Dhadian, Kaslian, Sawan, and Sodi Gujar have to travel to Khewra for work via buses and rickshaws, often facing harsh conditions.
By shutting down the morning passenger train from Pind Dadan Khan to Mandi Bahauddin, the people of three districts have been deprived of a major facility—a grave injustice to the public. The performance of political groups like the Bosal Group, Barath Group, and Jhelum Group also comes into question.
In the recent elections, PML-N lost the MPA seat from Tehsil Pind Dadan Khan. If this public demand is not met, the party may lose its remaining support in the region altogether.
Citizens, local journalists, traders, and laborers appeal to Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Federal Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, and the Railway Department to restore the morning passenger train from Pind Dadan Khan to malkwal and via Khewra.
