KARACHI: Pakistan Railways has reduced fares for passenger for travel during Eid Al-Fitr holidays, it announced on Saturday.
Eid Al-Fitr marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan for Muslims worldwide. Ramadan began in Pakistan on Mar. 2, a day after most other Muslims nations, and the Eid Al-Fitr festival at end of the holy month is expected to fall on Mar. 31.
Pakistan’s government this week announced a three-day holiday from Mar. 31 to Apr. 2 on account of the Muslim festival of Eid Al-Fitr.
“The competent authority has been pleased to grant 20 percent concession in fares of all mail and express, intercity and passenger trains in all classes (managed by PR only) on account of the auspicious occasion of Eid Al-Fitr,” the railways department said in a notification.
“This concession will be allowed on current booking only on 1st, 2nd and 3rd days of Eid Al-Fitr.”
Eid Al-Fitr is one of two major Muslim festivals, the other being Eid Al-Adha, which is marked by the slaughtering of animals such as sheep and goats whose meat is shared among family and friends and donated to the poor. This year, Eid Al-Adha is expected to fall on June 6 or 7, marking the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage.
Hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis travel via airplanes, trains, buses to their hometowns from far-flung cities and abroad to celebrate the joyous occasions with families and friends each year.
Pakistan Railways also runs special trains on both Eids to facilitate passengers.
“No person or party will be allowed to avail two or more concessions at one time,” the notification read. “Concessional fares shall not be applicable to the Eid special trains.”
Pakistan Railways reduces train fares for travel on Eid Al-Fitr
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Pakistan Railways reduces train fares for travel on Eid Al-Fitr
- Hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis travel via airplanes, trains, buses to their hometowns to celebrate Eid with family and friends
- This week, Pakistan’s government announced a three-day holiday from Mar. 31 to Apr. 2 on account of the Muslim festival of Eid Al-Fitr
OIC’s COMSTECH stresses academic collaborations across Muslim world in Islamabad meeting
- COMSTECH holds annual meeting in Islamabad featuring 30 delegates from Iran, Somalia, Palestine, Indonesia and other OIC states
- Limited pool of skilled professionals one of the foremost challenges facing Muslim world, notes COMSTECH secretary general
ISLAMABAD: The OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) called for stronger academic collaboration across Islamic states to secure the future of higher education in the Muslim world, state-run media reported on Saturday.
COMSTECH’s Coordinator General Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary was speaking at the Annual Meeting of the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence at the organization’s Secretariat in Islamabad. The event brought together vice chancellors, rectors, and senior representatives from leading universities across OIC member and observer states.
Nearly 30 international delegates representing universities from Iran, Somalia, Palestine, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, Bangladesh, Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal joined their counterparts from several Pakistani institutions at the meeting. Participants attempted to chart a collective path forward for tertiary education in OIC countries.
“Collaborations, knowledge sharing, best practices, exchange of scholars, technology transfer and joint academic programs are vital for overcoming the educational challenges faced across the OIC region,” Choudhary said, according to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).
The COMSTECH secretary general noted that one of the foremost developmental challenges facing OIC nations remains the limited pool of skilled professionals and workforce.
He said this gap can only be bridged through strengthened tertiary education systems and expanded opportunities for knowledge transfer.
Discussions at the event highlighted the urgent need for competency-driven education, modern pedagogical tools, university–industry partnerships and collaborative training programs designed to equip graduates with the skills necessary to address emerging global challenges.
“The Annual Meeting served as a vital platform for reviewing progress achieved over the past year, identifying future priorities, and deepening academic cooperation to promote scientific excellence and sustainable development across the OIC region,” the APP said.
