Thick smog blanketing southern Punjab has severely disrupted railway operations, causing major delays in train arrivals and departures across the region. According to railway officials, the dense smog has reduced visibility, forcing trains to run at much slower speeds on both up and down tracks.
At the Multan Railway Station, passengers were left waiting for hours as several major express trains arrived behind schedule. The Karachi–Rawalpindi Tezgam Express was delayed by three hours, while the Karachi–Multan Bahauddin Zakaria Express and the Karachi–Peshawar Khyber Mail Express were both delayed by two hours.
The Lahore–Karachi Khyber Mail experienced a delay of two and a half hours, while the Lahore–Karachi Shalimar Express was the worst affected, arriving nearly four hours late. The Rawalpindi–Karachi Pakistan Express and the Rawalpindi–Karachi Tezgam Express were also delayed by one hour each. The Karachi–Lahore Shalimar Express reached Multan three hours late.
Passengers expressed frustration over the prolonged waits and inadequate information at stations. Many appealed to railway authorities to improve communication and scheduling systems, especially during the smog season when such delays are frequent.
Railway officials attributed the disruptions to low visibility and safety concerns, emphasizing that train speeds had to be reduced to avoid accidents. They assured passengers that efforts are being made to minimize delays while prioritizing safety.
The persistent smog, which has been affecting parts of Punjab for several days, continues to impact road, rail, and air travel, adding to the difficulties of commuters and travellers across the province.
