Summary Drivers have vowed to continue the protest until the government agrees to replace the engines
QUETTA (Dunya News) – Pakistan Railways drivers have taken protest against ministry’s slackness to replace debilitated engines into third day leading to cancellation of two trains on Tuesday.
Railways Quetta division has been affected by the ongoing protest and drivers’ boycott. Station administration has cancelled Karachi-bound Bolan and Chaman-bound passenger expresses.
Jaffar Express scheduled to depart from Quetta for Rawalpindi and Akbar Express for Lahore moved with hours of delay. Adding to train boarders’ woes, besides protest, passengers are irked over cancellation of expresses every other day.
Passengers have demanded Pakistan Railways to provide healthy engines and thus work for the benefit of all. Drivers have vowed to continue the protest until the government agrees to replace the engines. They further criticised the ministry for allegedly being habitual of leaving the responsibility of accidents with ill-fated drivers.
Passengers wait at Quetta station in hope of departure
Know also: Driver responsible for Jaffar Express accident: Initial report
Earlier on November 17, Jaffar Express had derailed near Balochistan’s Bolan claiming as many as 17 lives while injuring at least 148.
Know more: Bolan accident victims refuse to board Jaffar Express despite free-of-cost tickets
Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique had dubbed the accident as a result of driver’s inability to control the engine after applying brakes. Rafique had chaired a meeting of the Standing Committee of Senate on Railways on November 23.
The federal minister told media after meeting that the accident occurred to Jaffar Express at Aab-e-Gum area of Balochistan was due to the negligence of driver. Driver was over speeding and could not control the train.
Saad Rafique said that initial report of the accident has been prepared and would be made public within next few days. Minister of Railway refused to comment further on the issue before the report gets public.
