LAHORE: The cash-starved Pakistan Railways again faced fuel crisis that brought to almost a halt all passengers trains from Lahore for various destinations for more than five hours on Monday.

A senior officer at the PR headquarters in Lahore told Dawn that the Pakistan State Oil had stopped supply of diesel after railways exceeded the credit limit.

The PR authorities directed all divisional superintendents to arrange diesel from open market from the money collected by selling tickets to passengers.

The financial adviser and chief accounts officer termed the arrangements a violation of the rules that called for depositing the ticket money first with the railway account and then draw it through proper channel.

The paucity of diesel forced the authorities to shut down the railways powerhouse, resulting in suspension of electricity supply to the Lahore station and Carin’s hospital during loadshedding for more than four hours.

A large number of passengers remained stranded on the Lahore railway station for six hours or so as Jaffar Express, Awam Express and Tezgam could not depart for want of of diesel.

PR Lahore Divisional Superintendent Javed Anwar Bubak said that Ghauri Express has been suspended while Fareed and Allama Iqbal Expresses could not depart on time owing to shortage of diesel.

He said that a special train carrying 230,000 litre diesel has reached Lahore and now all passenger trains would resume journey according to schedule.