From Imran Khan to Qadri impersonators to art galleries displaying artifacts dating back to the freedom moment. The Azadi (Freedom) train showcases Pakistan from its inception todate. Due to security reasons, the passengers are mostly Pakistan Railway and Pakistan Railway Carriage Factory staff, people from the Arts Council of Pakistan, Lok Virsa, ISPR and the ministry of information,” said Mohammad Atiq, one of the Railway officials getting off the train as it arrived amid cheers and band music playing national song themes.
The Azadi Train has some 14 carriages and five decorated floats. The carriages include art galleries about the Pakistan Movement and the armed forces of Pakistan and their sacrifices. The floats had mountains, mosques, famous landmarks of Pakistan, including the Quaid-i-Azam’s mausoleum and Ziarat Residency, rivers, boats, the motorway and a bridge with the red Metro Bus along with handicrafts and people dressed in traditional clothes going about their daily chores.
Inside the four air-conditioned carriages, visitors got a taste of history as they admired photographs from the Pakistan Movement and the various wars fought by Pakistan. There were also life-size statues to be photographed with, models, relics and whatnot.
The train, started its journey from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Aug 12 to celebrate Pakistan’s independence, travelled throughout the country, stopping at various cities for a couple of days each, to reach Karachi, its final stop. It will stay here till Sept 11 before going back. Visitors can visit from 11am to 1pm and 3pm to 11pm during these days.
