LAHORE, Jan 26: Business Express will not run between Punjab and Sindh capitals for three days.

“The operation of the 303-Up/304-Down Business Express has been suspended at the request of the private company operating the passenger train between Lahore and Karachi as the first joint venture of the Pakistan Railways under the private-public partnership,” said a spokesman on Saturday.

However, the company would be bound to make payments to the railway authorities for the three days. Under Article 6.1 of the agreement, the company was bound to deposit with the PR chief cashier and treasurer a daily payment of Rs1,595,516 for single journey and Rs3,191,032 for round trip of Business Express (303-Up/304-Down), in shape of pay order before commencement of train journey.

The management of the private company owed more than Rs300 million to the Pakistan Railways, which has been seeking clearance of all dues since long. The matter was also referred to the Economic Coordination Council that allowed clearance of dues in instalments.

The Pakistan Railways on Aug 18, 2011, signed an agreement with M/s Four Brothers International (Pvt) Ltd to operate Business Express between Lahore and Karachi as a joint venture under public-private partnership.

The then prime minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani, had on Feb 3, 2011, inaugurated the Business Express and expressed his optimism that the train would set new standards for the public sector to improve its level of performance for sustainable basis. — Staff Reporter