Lahore: Chairman of Pakistan Railway Employees Prem Union Zia-ud-Din Ansari Advocate, President Sheikh Muhammad Anwar, Secretary General Khair Muhammad Tanio, Chief Organizer Chaudhry Khalid Mahmood, Senior Vice President Abdul Qayyum Awan, and Information Secretary Abdul Razzaq have strongly condemned the decision to outsource Pakistan Railways’ profitable train operations to the private sector, describing it as a serious conspiracy aimed at weakening and ultimately destroying a vital national institution.In a joint statement, the union leaders said that the decision has generated widespread concern among railway employees and the general public. They argued that if even profit-generating trains are being handed over to private operators, it raises serious questions about the performance and competence of the officials who have been managing Pakistan Railways for years. According to them, the move is clear evidence of the failure of the concerned authorities to effectively utilize the resources and potential of the railway system.The leaders demanded that all outsourcing agreements be made public with complete transparency so that the nation can understand under what conditions national assets are being transferred to private entities and what actual benefits, if any, will accrue to Pakistan Railways and the public.They further stated that employees who have worked day and night for the revival and development of Pakistan Railways may lose travel facilities and other employment benefits as a result of this policy. Workers who kept the institution functioning under the most difficult circumstances are now facing uncertainty regarding their future and job security.The union leaders also pointed out that railway employees working in various departments are already experiencing inappropriate treatment at the hands of private contractors. Frequent disciplinary actions and charge sheets create mental stress, anxiety, and economic hardship for employees, adversely affecting both their dignity and professional performance. Expanding the scope of outsourcing, they warned, would further increase these concerns.They questioned the role and responsibility of senior railway officials if private contractors are capable of operating trains profitably. If profitability is achievable, they argued, then the justification for the salaries, privileges, and extensive authority granted to government officials must be explained before the nation.The leaders emphasized that Pakistan Railways is a national asset and that decisions regarding its future should not be based on haste or narrow interests. Instead, such decisions must be guided by national interest, transparency, protection of employees’ rights, and the long-term development and sustainability of the institution.The Pakistan Railway Employees Prem Union called upon the government and railway administration to reconsider the outsourcing policy, disclose all agreements to the public, and ensure full protection of employees’ rights, benefits, and job security.
