LAHORE, Aug 19: Shortage of trains on branch lines irked the passengers who wanted to go to their hometowns to celebrate Eid festival with their families.

A passenger, Khalid, told APP here on Sunday at Lahore Railway Station that only two trains were available for Narowal section in the evening and he had to wait for several hours as no other means of transport were available.

He said earlier 20 trains were running on the section but the present administration had shutdown several trains one by one, mainly for fuel and locomotive shortage. He added that the trains were yet to be restored.

Sajid, another passenger, who intended to travel with his family, said delay in arrival and departure of trains for hours was also a major problem, adding that he had to wait for a train coming from Karachi for more than seven hours.

He said passengers were also suffering because of shortage of coaches during the Eid days, adding that even women and children had to travel without seats.

Lahore general manager and divisional superintendent were not taking calls when this reporter tried their numbers for their versions.

PR constable: The Pakistan Railways Police has paid financial assistance to the tune of Rs200,000 to the family of constable Sohail Mahmood who lost his life while saving a child from being run over by a train.

A PR Police spokesman said here on Sunday that fateha was offered for the constable at a Karachi mosque after which the financial assistance was handed over to the family. A Karachi businessman, Shahzad Riaz, also gave Rs1 million to the family.

A six-year-old child had on Aug 11 fallen on the track while playing at platform when Super Express was leaving Landhi station in the PR Karachi division. Constable Mahmood acted swiftly and rescued the child but was hit and killed by the train.