KHAIRPUR, March 27: The decision of the Pakistan Railways to abolish the stops of five trains, Shalimar Express, Millat Express, Chenab Express, Night Coach, and Karakoram Express, at the Khairpur railway station, came under strong criticism at a protest meeting of the Anjuman-i-Tajiran, Khairpur, held here on Monday.

The meeting was presided over by the president of the Anjuman, Mr Qutbudduin Shaikh. It decided to launch a protest drive against the Pakistan Railways.

The participants expressed their surprise by saying that in Punjab these trains stop at nearly all stations.

The meeting also decided to hold a meeting with 18 traders, labourers and social organizations for launching a vigorous protest drive. The Anjuman has written a letter to President Pervez Musharraf seeking his intervention to help restore stops of trains at the Khairpur railway station.

PROTEST: Following death of two students of a Madressah, Rizwan Phulpoto, 10, and Sartaj Phulpoto, 11, their relatives held a protest meeting in the Razi Phulpoto village and demanded an inquiry into the matter.

The boys were crushed to death by the Punjab-bound Awami Express on Sunday.