Journalists have condemned Pakistan Railways recent decision to reduce fare concessions from 80 to 50 per cent.

The revised policy, introduced on the directive of Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi, cuts the concession rate from 80 per cent to a maximum of 50 per cent and limits its use to only 10 single journeys per year. Journalists from Rawalpindi and Islamabad have called for restoration of the earlier 80 per cent discount.

Senior journalist Kamran Anwar attempted to book a ticket to Lahore and was informed of the new concession rate.

Under the new rules, the concession will apply across all train services and classes, but it will no longer be available on trains such as Green Line, Pak Business Express, and Shah Hussain Express or outsourced trains.