Pakistan Railways (PR) workers brought out a protest rally and staged a sit-in outside the Railways Headquarter to express their resentment over the proposed privatisation of PR, non-issuance of approved bail-out package to the department and for the restoration of trains.
The PR administration sealed the building and deployed police force to avoid any untoward incident and the Punjab police was called to assist the Railways police. Reservation office at the headquarters remained closed during the protest, causing problems for the passengers. Security was also on high alert. Police and railway guards checked the participants before allowing them to enter the protest location while a contingent was also deployed on the roofs.
The protesters continued their sit-in till late night and later presented a Charter of Demand to the administration before their dispersal.
The protest was organised under the banner of Rail Mazdoor Itehad and was led by labour leader Hafiz Salman Butt.
Thousand of workers joined the protest rally and sit-in. Protesters were carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans in favour of their demands. The rally started from the Railway Station at 10am and reached the headquarters at 2 pm.
“PR is on the verge of destruction, locomotive are out of order, coaches are out of order but the government is still not serious,” said Butt, adding that the workers would not allow the secret plan to destroy PR succeed and that all corrupt officials should be fired. He said Rs 11 billion should be released immediately and the plan to privatise PR should be dropped.
‘Privatisation be damned!’
