Thaindian News

Islamabad, Sep 14 (IANS) The involvement of a Pakistan Army major in the theft of copper worth millions from a railway wagon has come as “a great shock”, said a Pakistani daily.

An editorial in The Nation Wednesday said that the state of affairs of Pakistan Railways is “a crying shame” as its freight trains are being stolen in broad daylight.

A wagon of a freight train carrying copper worth millions of rupees was taken away from Lahore and was found standing at a platform in Kharian in Gujrat district, “but of course without copper”.

“What is even more depressing is that the mastermind of the theft was no less a person than a serving army major,” it said.

The editorial added: “The involvement of the major has come as a great shock and it is hoped that strict disciplinary action would be taken against him if proven guilty.”

It went on to say that “this daylight robbery certainly gives an impression that the scourge of corruption is not institution specific and could rear its ugly head whenever and wherever it would find an opportunity”.

The officer, Major Ayub, was taken into custody over the theft from the wagon of the Pakistan Railways. A station master and two goods booking clerk also have been arrested.

The stolen cable had been sold in Gujrat district.

Online said that Aug 4, copper valued at Rs.240,000 was loaded onto a wagon of a freight train at Raiwind and it was to be transported to a store located at Lahore.

This wagon was stolen from Lahore Railway station Aug 12 and it reached Kharian in Gujrat Aug 15. Railway police registered case and the wagon was recovered from Kharian Sep 7.