PESHAWAR: The employees of Pakistan Railways on Monday held a protest demonstration outside the Peshawar Press Club against the federal government’s ‘rationalisation plan’ and feared that hundreds of employees would lose jobs in case the measure was implemented.

Holding banners and placards the employees shouted slogans in support of their demands.

Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan Railway Employees Union central president Syed Jaffari, Peshawar division president Jahangir Khan and others said the federal government’s plan of rationalisation of trains operations through better use of its assets and resources was actually meant to fire employees.

They said in case of closure of trains hundreds of employees would be sent to surplus pool for forced retirement. They said the government should instead take action against the corrupt elements to improve service delivery.

The employees demanded of Prime Minister Imran Khan to review the decision to save their jobs.

Meanwhile, speakers at a seminar on Monday urged the railways employees to provide all possible facilities to the passengers during their journey.

The event was arranged by Pakistan Railways Peshawar division to impart training to employees of its commercial department. Divisional superintendent Wasif Ali Mughal and other officials spoke on the occasion.

They talked about the significance of commercial department in railways and said the relevant staff was like brand ambassadors who were supposed to be more friendly, polite, active and sympathetic to serve the travellers in a befitting manner.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2021