Pakistan Railways has directed private companies that run outsourced trains to honour every travel concession allowed under railway rules and their contracts, after passengers reported that eligible travellers were being turned away.
The Office of the Chief Commercial Manager at Pakistan Railways Headquarters in Lahore issued the instructions to S. Jamil & Company, ZKB-BT JV, AA Enterprises, Prime Rail and Lasani Cargo. The department said the firms had already been reminded several times to extend the discounts and passes that entitled people are meant to receive.
What Clause 5.15 requires
The letter points to Clause 5.15 of the operators’ agreements. That clause says private operators must accept railway employees’ travel facilities in all classes, privilege and post-retirement passes, duty and privilege ticket orders (PTOs—official railway travel vouchers), special passes, and concessions for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and other entitled groups.
The agreement also states that the relevant concessionary quota expires 48 hours before a train’s scheduled departure. Pakistan Railways has clarified that these facilities remain valid on outsourced trains within that window.
Complaints that prompted the order
According to the department, multiple complaints reached it through the Pakistan Citizen Portal and the Wafaqi Mohtasib (Federal Ombudsman). Those complaints concerned the refusal of concessions to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, journalists, railway employees and other eligible passengers.
In response, Pakistan Railways has told all concerned operators to apply Clause 5.15 without delay and to provide railway passes, PTOs, special passes and other admissible concessions under current rules and policies. Passengers who are still denied a facility they are entitled to have been advised to complain to the relevant railway authorities so action can be taken.
What happens next
The order places the onus on the named private operators to comply immediately and strictly with their contractual obligations. For travellers who rely on passes or discounted tickets, the practical next step is to seek the facility within the 48-hour quota window and, if refused, to escalate the case through railway channels, the Citizen Portal or the Federal Ombudsman.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Pakistan Railways ne private train chalane wali companies ko order diya hai ke concession aur passes manen. Yeh facilities senior citizens, disabled persons, journalists aur railway staff ke liye hain. Pehle kai logon se shikayat aayi thi ke unhe yeh suvidha nahi mil rahi thi. Ab agar aap mustahiq hain to train se 48 ghante pehle tak yeh facility maang sakte hain; inkaar ho to railways se shikayat karein.
