ON Thursday, 23 people were killed and another 35 injured, in a collision between Akbar Express and a stationary goods train near Sadiqabad. A day earlier, seven coaches of the Rawalpindi-bound Pakistan Express got detached from other rakes near Khanewal.

On June 20, at least three people lost their lives when a passenger train collided with a freight train at Makli Shah near Hyderabad.

On Dec 24 last year, the Shalimar Express collided with a train standing at the platform in Faisalabad. One person was killed and another five injured.

The list is exhaustive.

The federal minister for railways has been frequently boasting about his achievements by commissioning a number of new trains. What’s the point in making tall claims, if Pakistan Railways cannot sustain the operations of the existing trains?

Accidents, derailments and deteriorated condition of the track have become the hallmark of Pakistan Railways. Already in operational and financial travail, railway doesn’t need the jugglery of the witty railways minister. Merely apologising after an accident cannot be considered an adequate response. It’s time for some heads to roll as actions speak louder than words.

Major (r) Imran Aslam Warraich

Lahore

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2019