Allama Iqbal Express railing off the tracks

SIALKOT: Hundreds of locals gathered outside the Sialkot Railway Station to protest the condition of the trains.

Protesters termed the conditions of the trains plying the tracks in the city as “inhuman”.

“The Allama Iqbal Express train is a travesty and shows how incapable the district government is. The trains have open sewage leaking out on the pathways and rubbish in the aisles. ” said Raza Shahid, a frequent commuter.

Speaking to reporters the commuters said that there was no concept of hygiene in the trains and the food available was not fit to eat. “The meat they serve is cooked practically in water,” said Khalida Bibi.

The Sialkot-Lahore-Karachi bound Allama Iqbal Express train is practically falling apart, as the interior of the train reveals ad hoc repairs,  broken seats and the air conditioners seldom work. “There are trash heaps and insects in the train aisles. I have even seen men transporting goats in the main cabin!” said Abid Hussain.

“No water is available in the wash rooms and the electrical bulbs and fans in almost all the bogies are out of order,” said Tariq, adding that on occasion people have even stolen the seats in the cabins.

The passengers said that though temperatures had risen considerably none of the fans on the train were operational.

“All journeys aboard the Allama Iqbal Express are suffocating, but train journeys are the only ones we can afford for long-distance travel,” said Muhammad Salman.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2010.