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- Most children left their homes after fighting with relatives or in search of a better life, says Pakistan Railways
- Children, both boys and girls, belong to Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, Multan and Quetta cities of Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Railways said on Monday it has rescued and reunited 626 children with their families from Jan. 1 to Aug.31 and returned lost luggage amounting to $67000 to various passengers in the same period.
According to the figures released by Railways Police, 149 of the 626 children who were rescued hailed from the eastern city of Lahore, 146 were from Rawalpindi, 128 from Karachi, 66 from Sukkur, 57 from Multan and 13 from Quetta.
It said that while some were sent home, others were handed over to welfare institutions such as the Edhi Foundation.
“Pakistan Railways Police in an unparalleled professionalism and unwavering devotion to duty have rescued and reunited around 626 vulnerable children including girls, boys and women with their heirs in the last 8 months over the period of Jan 1 to Aug 31,” Pakistan Railways public relations officer said in a statement.
“Most of the children were found unaccompanied and loitering at railway stations after they left their house following a fight or getting scolded or in search of glamor or a better life.”
Around 2,000 pieces of lost luggage valued at approximately $69,000 were also retrieved and returned to passengers, said. Many valuables, including laptops, smartphones, gold and artificial jewelry, handbags and currencies were also returned to their rightful owners.
At least 13,360 passengers were provided with first aid, wheelchair, and stretcher facilities for the handicapped and injured passengers, the spokesperson added.