Breakdown: Train crew pelted with stones

Passengers staged a protest after Millat Express train broke down on its way from Lahore to Karachi.

FAISALABAD: A Millat Express train on its way from Lahore to Karachi broke down near Sarshmeer railway station on Wednesday. The passengers later staged a protest demonstration and pelted the crew with stones. They demanded immediate action against railway officials for not making alternative arrangements to facilitate passengers. A heavy contingent of railway police was sent to the scene and brought the situation under control. The replacement arrived six hours later. Railway spokesman Aslam Khan said Pakistan Railways was facing some financial constraints. It had been unable to purchase new locomotives and the older ones sometimes broke down.

“However, we do try to facilitate passengers. We sent another train “immediately” but that obviously created a delay,” he said. Khan said a complaint had been moved against the passengers who threw stones at the train’s crew. 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st, 2013.