Pakistan Railways has declared an emergency across the department and cancelled field officers’ leave for three months following instructions from Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi to improve train safety and prevent further accidents.
According to an official statement issued by the department’s headquarters in Lahore on Saturday, the emergency measures will remain in place until December 31. Officers have been directed to visit railway sites and supervise train operations on Sundays as part of efforts to strengthen monitoring.
The department has also instructed railway officers travelling to other cities on official assignments to use trains. Chief engineers of the civil and mechanical departments must submit daily reports to the ministry on their respective areas of responsibility. Daily safety reports have also been made mandatory.
Abbasi said the department would work to provide passengers with the safest possible travel experience in line with the prime minister’s vision. The measures come amid growing concerns over the frequency of railway accidents involving both passenger and freight trains.
Railway sources reported more than 55 accidents of varying severity since January 1. The incidents have reportedly caused fatalities and injuries, as well as substantial financial losses and damage to railway infrastructure.
The repeated accidents have raised questions about track maintenance, operational oversight and the effectiveness of existing safety arrangements. Passengers have also expressed concern about travelling on trains, which remain an essential means of transport for many people.
Several incidents have been reported across different railway divisions in recent months. On August 27, 10 freight wagons 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. Three wagons of a coal-laden freight train also derailed at Kotri railway yard on September 9. Another coal train accident occurred on September 6, when seven wagons reportedly went off the tracks.
The Yusufwala coal train was involved in another reported accident near Khairpur on September 27. Railway sources have identified the Sukkur, Karachi and Multan divisions among the areas experiencing a number of such incidents.
Railway operations have also been affected by other serious incidents. On May 24, an act of sabotage targeted a shuttle train in Quetta, damaging three coaches. The Rahman Baba Express also suffered a major accident in the Multan division.
Meanwhile, Abbasi visited the Steel and Carriage Shops in Mughalpura on October 17 to inspect manufacturing facilities and assess quality-control arrangements. During the visit, he examined the electric arc furnace and the spectro laboratory used to test components manufactured at the facility.
