Anjum Bashir
KHANEWAL
The people of Khanewal and the lawmakers flayed the Pakistan Railways decision to terminate the stopover of 115-Up/116-Down Musa Pak in Khanewal, Sahiwal and Raiwind stations from January 15 following alleged influence and pressure from the private transport companies.
MNAs, MPA’s, traders, political, religious and social circles demanded that Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique and Chief Executive Officer Javid Anwar Bobuk should withdraw the decision to change the departure time of 115-Up /116-Down Musa Pak running between Multan and Lahore. They also demanded taking notice of the “unjustified” decision of Pakistan Railways as it will not only debar hundreds of passengers from travelling by these trains but also cause a loss of millions of rupees to the Pakistan Railways.
On public demand and regular protests, the stopovers were allowed at Khanewal, Sahiwal and Raiwind stations in the last week of October 2015.
According to sources, about 1,500 passengers travel by the train daily affecting the private transporters’ business. People alleged that private transport companies approached the high-ups of the Pakistan Railways and succeeded to convince them to terminate the stoppage of 115-Up /116-Down.
MNA M Khan Daha, former provincial minster for transport Haji Irfan Ahmad Khan, MPA Nishat Ahmad, MPA Fazlur Rehman, traders leader Inam Qureshi, Ghazi Human Rights Association chairman Shabbir Hussain Shabbir, teacher union leaders Mehar Arif and Hakim Javid demanded Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and the Railways minster should take immediate notice of the anti-pubic decision.
When contacted, DS Railways Multan Zafarullah said that the Railways Heaquarters Lahore is the authority to change the schedule and stopovers of trains.