LAHORE: Pakistan Railways (PR) has declared an emergency across the department on the instructions of Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi in a bid to improve train safety and prevent further accidents.
According to a statement issued by Pakistan Railways headquarters in Lahore on Saturday, all leave for field officers has been cancelled for three months. The measures are intended to strengthen supervision and ensure safer operations across the railway network.
Officers have been directed to visit the field and supervise train operations on Sundays. They have also been instructed to travel by train when visiting other cities for official duties to gain firsthand insight into operational conditions.
The department has further ordered chief engineers from the civil and mechanical departments to submit daily reports to the ministry on their respective areas of responsibility. Daily safety reports have also been sought from the head of the railway safety department.
The emergency measures will remain in effect until December 31.
“We will provide passengers with the safest possible travel in line with the prime minister’s vision,” Abbasi said.
More Than 55 Train Accidents Reported This Year
The emergency comes amid growing concerns about railway safety, maintenance standards and the effectiveness of measures introduced to prevent accidents.
According to railway sources, more than 55 accidents involving passenger and freight trains have occurred since the beginning of the year. The incidents have reportedly caused fatalities and injuries, alongside damage worth millions of rupees to railway infrastructure.
Repeated accidents have also raised concerns among passengers, many of whom rely on trains as an essential and affordable means of transportation despite safety concerns.
The frequency of these incidents has prompted questions about the implementation of safety directives and the effectiveness of the department’s existing inspection and maintenance systems.
Multiple Derailments Raise Safety Concerns
Several incidents involving freight and passenger trains have been reported across different railway divisions in recent months.
On August 27, 10 wagons of a freight train derailed near Khanpur. On the same day, the engine and two coaches of the Rawal Express went off the tracks near Kala Gujran.
Earlier, on September 2, the power van of the Khyber Mail derailed near Sanjani. On September 6, another coal train accident resulted in seven wagons leaving the tracks.
Three wagons of a coal-laden freight train also derailed at Kotri railway yard on September 9. Later, on September 27, the Yusufwala coal train was involved in an accident near Khairpur.
Five Killed, More Than 30 Injured as Rahman Baba Express Derails Near Multan
Railway sources have identified the Sukkur, Karachi and Multan divisions among the areas experiencing a significant number of train accidents. The Yusufwala coal train has reportedly been involved in several incidents.
These recurring mishaps have intensified scrutiny of track conditions, rolling-stock maintenance and operational oversight across the railway network.
Sabotage and Major Accidents Add to Department’s Challenges
Pakistan Railways has also faced incidents beyond derailments. On May 24, a shuttle train in Quetta was targeted in an act of sabotage, damaging three coaches.
The Rahman Baba Express also suffered a major accident in the Multan division, adding to concerns about the range of risks affecting railway operations.
Despite repeated instructions from the railways minister, accidents have continued to occur, raising questions about whether existing safety measures are being implemented effectively.
Minister Orders Closer Monitoring of Railway Operations
On October 17, Abbasi visited the Steel and Carriage Shops in Mughalpura, Lahore, where he inspected production facilities and directed officials to maintain quality standards in the manufacturing of railway components.
During his visit to the Mughalpura Steel Shop, the minister inspected the electric arc furnace and reviewed the spectro laboratory used to test components manufactured there.
The latest emergency measures place greater responsibility on field officers and senior engineering officials to monitor operations and report safety concerns regularly.
Whether the enhanced supervision and daily reporting requirements will reduce accidents remains to be seen. The department faces mounting pressure to translate its directives into effective safety improvements and restore public confidence in railway travel.
