LAHORE, June 19: No train will be operating from Lahore for Okara, Jaranwala, Shorkot, Wazirabad, Narowal, Faisalabad and Sialkot till the law and order situation improves in the province.

A decision to this effect was taken by the Railways authorities on Tuesday in the wake of burning of four coaches of Babu Passenger train at Kamoke during a violent protest against loadshedding on Monday evening.

The suspended 20 trains are Okara Passenger (223-Up/224-Down), Ravi Express (121-Up/122-Down), Ghauri Express (113-Up/114-Down), Faisal Express (177-Up/178-Down), Tipu Sultan Express (141-Up/142-Down), Badar Express (111-Up/112-Down), Babu Passenger (205-Up/206-Down) and Lasani Express (125-Up/126-Down) besides Shah Sarwar Passenger (217-Up/218-Down) and Mouj Darya Passenger (215-Up/216-Down).

The railways authorities had suspended all the local trains in its Lahore Division late on Monday night, but a formal decision to ensure the safety of passengers and cargo was taken on Tuesday, said an official of the PR commercial wing at its headquarters.

According to initial estimates, rehabilitation of the four burnt coaches would require at least Rs40 million. Railways lost assets worth Rs6,561 million in the riots after the assassination of PPP leader Benazir Bhutto in 2007. The government had resolved to restore the infrastructure of the Pakistan Railways in three months by bearing the cost of repairing and replacing damaged tracks and other assets.

“But the promise is yet to be fulfilled. We already lack rolling stock and have damaged infrastructure. We cannot afford to take further risk,” maintained the official.

Meanwhile, railways police inspector general Syed Ibne Husain appealed to the people to remain peaceful during protest against loadshedding.

“Damaging public property in general and railway assets, especially trains and stations, will do more harm than good. It is tantamount to damaging own assets. Our own elders, children, daughters are also among the travellers. Railways has been a national asset, the safest and cheapest mode of transport for the poor and it is our responsibility to protect it,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.