SIALKOT, Sep 3: Passengers of Karachi-bound Allama Iqbal Express train have expressed concern over non-availability of basic facilities, frequent delays and harassment by railways officials on board and at stations.

Protesting the PR authorities’ indifference to their miseries, they have demanded some remedial measures to make the over 24-hour journey comfortable.

Passengers complain that the train seldom reaches its destinations on time. They also claim that Pakistan Railways (PR) authorities deliberately make this train halt at different stations to keep the track clear for other trains, specially between Lahore and Khanewal.

Talking to Dawn, several passengers said that travelling by Allama Iqbal Express was a sordid tale, which negates tall claims made by Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad that facilities in this train have been improved.

They complain that there is no concept of maintaining cleanliness in this train and all bogies give a filthy look.

The PR sanitary staff do not bother to clean toilets and trash, including perished foodstuff, which is seen scattered everywhere in compartments giving foul smell.

The travellers allege that drinking water and power supply are rare commodities in Economy Class bogies and sometimes even in the Sleeper Class, while most of the windowpanes are shattered making the journey insecure. Most of the compartments are usually not equipped with ceiling fans, making the journey miserable during summer.

Vendors sell substandard and hazardous foodstuff, including juices, cold drinks and other items at escalated prices and the practice is going on unchecked.

Despite repeated appeals made by the travellers, authorities concerned in Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Khanewal and Karachi have not taken any step to address their grievances and always turn a deaf ear to their complaints.

Some passengers allege that ticket examiners and checking staff misbehave with the people and harass them in connivance with onboard railways police personnel.

They also accuse PR officials of minting money from passengers in the name of seat or birth reservation at railway stations or during the journey. This practice is more rampant at the Lahore railway station, they add.

They claim that PR authorities at Khanewal, Sukkur, Rohri, Hyderabad and Karachi threaten commuters to be ready to face the consequences of carrying overloaded luggage even if their luggage is below the weight allowed by the PR to carry onboard. Through these tactics, the passengers maintain, the PR authorities extort money.

The passengers claim that the PR officials on these stations dub the people of Sialkot ‘golden sparrows’ for them as they (the people of Sialkot) give them huge money rather more ‘generously’.