In a major anti-people move and in the backdrop of severe financial crunch, Pakistan Railways has decided to close down the operation of 16 passengers and freight trains with immediate effect. General Manager Operation Ishafaq Khatakat while announcing the closure of trains service said, "We are forced to take this anti people step because trains on these routes had become white elephant and causing huge financial loss to the organisation."

Talking to reporters, he said, "we had already paid 250 millions of rupees to the Pakistan State Oil Company to clear outstanding arrears and PSO has promised to continue supply of diesel to the Pakistan Railways." He further said that summary regarding 15-percent increase in rail fare had already been moved and with the approval of the same, the financial loss Railways is currently facing would come down.

In response to a question, he admitted that Pakistan Railway was facing acute shortage of diesel. He said operation of trains service from Miani to Kahnwal 251-Up and 252 Down, 253Up and 254 Down which runs between Pend Dahdan Kahan to Malikwal, 261 Up and 262 Down which runs on the route of Shibi and Karachi City, 301 Up and 302 Down Lahore to Rohri, 315 Up and 316 Down Amroka to Sama Sata, 317 Up and 318 Down, 341 Up and 342 Down, 343 Up and 344 Down passenger trains were closed down.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2010