Dozens of angry passengers protested against the engine failure of Pakistan Express train here in the wee hours of Tuesday, damaging Railways’ offices and pelting stones on the police.
According to Pakistan Railways officials, the engine of Karachi-bound Pakistan Express failed at Multan station when it was coming from Faisalabad. After hearing the news of engine failure, passengers started protesting and damaged Railways’ offices. The protesters climbed the engine of the train, and smashed its windows, Railways officials said.
Police reached the site to control the situation, but the protesters started pelting stones at the cops. Police resorted to aerial firing to disperse the protesting passengers, besides arresting 10 protesters.
Railways Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Farrukh Taimoor said the department did not have a spare engine, which was demanded by the passengers.
The protesters said Pakistan Express had already been delayed for16 hours due to repeated engine failures.
Upon reaching Multan Railway Station, the passengers started protesting against Pakistan Railways.
“We launched a peaceful protest, and demanded engine replacement,” one passenger told INP, adding that the “non-professional” attitude of the Railway administration turned the protest violent.
