All phones go silent at Railways HQ | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

All phones go silent at Railways HQ

By: Shabbir Sarwar

LAHORE: All telephone lines of Pakistan Railways Headquarters, including those of the general manager’s office, have been disconnected by Pakistan Telecommunication Limited for the non-payment of bills amounting to Rs 1 million.

The outstanding dues were comprised of the telephone bills of the last three months. A Railways spokesman said that 40 telephone lines were made one-way, as PTCL had withdrawn the outgoing facility. The spokesman said that outstanding dues would be cleared within three days. He said that the withdrawal of the outgoing facility would not affect train service and signal system.

However, Railways PREM Union Senior Vice President Sheikh Anwar claimed that around 1500 lines had been disconnected. Pakistan Railways is currently facing a serious financial crisis and Rail Mazdoor Ittehad is organising a protest demonstration against proposed privatisation.

Railways Public Relations Director Abdul Hameed Razi said that Federal Finance Ministry had fixed a Rs 2 billion credit limit between Railways and PSO Karachi to run the system of the department smoothly. However, now PSO was showing reservations to the set credit limit and wanted it reduced to Rs 1 billion, he said.

Source: Daily Times