KASUR: Shortage of facilities in business class compartments of Taizgam forced many a passenger to halt the train at Pattoki Railway Station on Monday and stage a protest demonstration against the railway authorities.

The passengers laid before the train on the tracks at the railway station. The train left for its destination after a delay of about half an hour following the authorities assured them that the bogies of the train would be changed at the next station – Okara.

Passengers of Taizgam bound for Karachi from Lahore came out of the bogies at Pattoki Railway Station and started gathering in front of the locomotive. The passengers started raising slogans against the railway minister and PR authorities.

The passengers complained about the missing facilities in the train, including water in washrooms and non-functional air-conditioners in the business class. They said even the fans were not operative.

According to protesters, some of the passengers, including women and children, felt uneasiness due to heat.

The protesters said they had complained the concerned authorities at Lahore Railway Station regarding the missing facilities but they were promised that facilities would be provided till the train reached Pattoki.

Some of the passengers laid down on the track and refused to move away till their demand was met.

The local railway authorities held talks with the passengers who went back to their seats on the assurance that the bogies would be replaced at Okara Railway Station.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2019