ISLAMABAD — Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi has declared a nationwide emergency for Pakistan Railways effective through December 31, state media reported Saturday, as the government moves to address a sharp rise in train accidents.
The directive comes against a backdrop of chronic infrastructure neglect. Decades of underinvestment have left the network reliant on outdated tracks and aging signaling systems, making derailments and collisions a persistent threat.
The urgency was underscered by recent tragedies. Earlier this month, a passenger train derailed near Sher Shah in central Punjab, killing four people and injuring 30. In 2023, a similar disaster in southern Pakistan claimed 30 lives and wounded over 90 when ten carriages left the rails.
Under the emergency order, leave for all field officers has been suspended for three months. Personnel have also been instructed to conduct Sunday field inspections to monitor operations directly, according to Radio Pakistan.
Abbasi has further mandated that railway officials use train travel for official intercity duties to gain firsthand insight into service conditions. Chief civil and mechanical engineers are now required to submit daily operational reports to the ministry, while the head of safety must provide daily briefings on the network’s status.
The minister affirmed the government’s commitment to delivering the safest possible journey for passengers, aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision for the sector. Millions rely on the railway annually for intercity and long-distance travel.
According to The Express Tribune, the network has logged more than 55 accidents involving passenger and freight trains since January 1. Commuters have long voiced concerns over maintenance standards and the efficacy of previous safety pledges.