LAHORE (INP Pakistan Railways has shut train service on 10 branch lines unannounced, piling up commuters' miseries.
The delaying of trains has become a rather accepted routine in Pakistan, but the recent weeks have seen rapid closure of trains. Railways has now closed down trains on 10 more branch lines, including to Faisalabad, Sargodha, Narowal and Pakpattan among other areas. Sargodha, Chenab and Faiz Ahmed Faiz Express have also been closed.
Railways authorities say the trains have been shut because engines are not available.
Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmed Bilour has been threatening closure of trains, citing shortage of engines and locomotives. The federal government has claimed giving Rs 2 billion out of the Rs 11 billion bailout package for Railways.