Pakistan Railways has revised reservation office timings for Ramadan, keeping counters open from 8am to 12 midnight, with breaks for iftar and Friday prayers.
What Pakistan Railways Announced for Ramadan
Pakistan Railways has issued a revised schedule for reservation office working hours during Ramadan. According to the notification, the new timings took effect from Saturday and are intended to facilitate passengers during the holy month.
Ramadan usually changes travel patterns in Pakistan. People travel for work in the morning, plan trips for iftar gatherings, and visit family more frequently. Longer ticketing hours can reduce crowding at peak times and give passengers more flexibility to purchase, confirm, or adjust reservations without rushing.
New Reservation Office Timings: 8am to 12 Midnight
Under the revised schedule, reservation offices will remain open from 8:00am until 12:00 midnight. This extended window is likely designed to manage higher footfall and reduce pressure on counters during busy hours.
For passengers, the benefit is clear: you can visit earlier in the day or later at night, which is helpful if you are fasting, working, or travelling from another area. Evening availability is especially useful for people who prefer booking after office hours. It can also help families planning last-minute travel, because ticketing does not stop in the afternoon like it often does under limited schedules.
The extended hours may also support passengers coming from nearby towns who reach the city late. Instead of waiting for the next day, they can complete booking the same night and reduce uncertainty about seats.
Breaks for Iftar and Friday Prayers
Pakistan Railways has also specified break timings within the extended hours. A 45-minute break will be observed at the time of iftar to allow staff to break their fast and keep operations steady during the evening rush.
On Fridays, reservation offices will observe an additional special break for prayers from 12:30pm to 2:00pm. Passengers should plan around this period, because counters may close temporarily and queues can build quickly before and after the break.
If you are booking on a Friday, try visiting before 12:30pm or after 2:00pm. If you plan to go close to iftar time, expect a short halt in service, and consider arriving earlier to avoid waiting during the break.
Practical Tips to Avoid Rush, Especially Near Eid
To save time during Ramadan, consider visiting in the morning after offices open or later in the evening after iftar, when crowds can thin out. Avoid the Friday prayer break window, and plan intercity travel bookings earlier in the week if you can, because weekends and the final days before Eid usually bring the heaviest demand.
Carry your CNIC, route details, and preferred travel dates so your booking can be processed quickly. If you are making changes, keep your booking reference and ticket copy with you. In busy periods, even small missing details can mean losing your place in a queue.
If you are travelling with family, confirm seat availability and coach class before you reach the counter. This reduces back-and-forth at the window and speeds up service for everyone waiting. Finally, remember that extended hours are meant to help, but major stations can still be crowded. A little planning around break times and peak hours can make your reservation experience smoother.
