Businessmen, factory owners and local traders have strongly condemned the PR decision to increase the cargo tariff by 30 percent. They were of the view that they were already suffering due to suspension and delay of trains as late arrival of goods have adversely affected their business.
Local Traders have expressed their concern on the 30 percent increase in cargo charges by Pakistan Railways and demanded immediate withdrawal of this increase to attract the traders as well as exporters. Khawaja Muhammad Shafiq Chairman of Markazi Anjuman Tajiran said that Railway authorities should have to increase tariff by ten percent if it was unavoidable. It may be recalled that Railway has increased the fare of goods trains by 30 per cent in view of increase in POL prices and to get out of the financial woes of the organisation. On the other hand, delay in train services due to shortage of diesel and engines continued to create problems for the passengers.
Pakistan Railways excusing increase in fuel prices and labour charges to load and unload the luggage, announced 30 percent increase in fares for transportation of luggage. Rawalpindi-Quetta Jaffer Express, Karachi-Multan Zakariya Express reached the destinations with six and five hours delay, respectively. Pakistan Express from Karachi to Rawalpindi and Hazara Express from Havelian to Karachi were three hours late, while Super Express from Malkwal to Karachi was two hours late. The railway journey has become troublesome for the passengers, as they have to wait for hours at railway stations in the intense cold weather. The PR officials were of the view that disruption in train services was due to shortage of diesel and engines.