Owing to a shortage of locomotives and paucity of funds, Pakistan Railways has decided to stop the service of two of its passenger trains. Sources said the announcement regarding the suspension of Awami Express and Tez Gam would made public by PR in the next few days, adding that the railways had already informed the federal minister of the plan.
The railways has also decided to privatize one of its passenger train, but a finial decision would be made in a meeting of Railways board on July 15.
Meanwhile, around 15 passengers of the Pak Business Express train were injured when some miscreants pelted stones at the train near Kot Lakhpat on Monday. The Lahore-bound train coming from Karachi was passing through Kot Lakhpat when it came under an attack by some unknown miscreants who pelted stones at its bogie Number 5, smashing its window panes and injuring at least 15 passengers.
A case was registered against unknown persons by police.
On the other hand, Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmad Bilour has demanded 400 new railway engines for relieving the railways.
Responding to queries during the NA question hour, the minister said only 103 railway engines were currently operational, while the remaining were undergoing repairs.
He said despite his demand for 400 new railway engines, the government had delivered none, and even the payment of Rs 13 billion for repairs seemed doubtful.
