Pakistan Railways refutes report of multiple injuries in Sheikhupura train collision

Published September 24, 2023
Passengers can seen stranded after Mianwali Express met an accident while travelling from Mianwali to Lahore on September 24, 2023. — Photo by author
Passengers can seen stranded after Mianwali Express met an accident while travelling from Mianwali to Lahore on September 24, 2023. — Photo by author

Pakistan Railways on Sunday refuted media reports of multiple injuries during a collision between two trains in Punjab’s Sheikhupura.

At 4:50am today, the Mianwali Express, enroute Lahore, rammed into another train parked in the loop line at the Qila Sattar Shah station.

“All passengers aboard the train remained safe during the accident,” Railways spokesperson Babar Ali told Dawn.com, adding that one passenger, who had a pre-existing heart condition, was wounded and had been moved to the hospital.

“Reports of 31 or 21 injured persons in the Mianwali Express accident are based on lies,” the railways spokesperson clarified.

Ali confirmed that the track was cleared by 7:30am shortly after which Mianwali Express continued its journey to Lahore.

“Train driver Imran Sarwar and assistant driver Muhammad Bilal have been suspended for negligence,” he said, adding that an inquiry committee had been formed on the directives of the Ministry of Railways.

The committee, Ali added, had been told to submit a report on the incident within 24 hours.

Commenting on the accident, Railways Chairman Mazhar Ali Shah said action would be taken against those responsible according to the law while CEO Shahid Aziz asserted that there would be no compromise on safety.

At least 30 people died and several others were left wounded after a train derailed near Nawabshah last month. During the inquiry that followed the accident, six Railways officials, including two 18-grade officers, were suspended.

Accidents and derailments occur frequently on Pakistan’s antiquated railway system, which has nearly 7,500 kilometres of track and carries more than 80 million passengers a year.

Opinion

Editorial

Budget presser
Updated 14 Jun, 2026

Budget presser

If the FBR falters, the government will find itself in hot water sooner rather than later.
Muharram precautions
14 Jun, 2026

Muharram precautions

WITH Muharram due to start next week, the authorities have already begun annual exercises to ensure that the ...
Blood bequests
14 Jun, 2026

Blood bequests

WORLD Blood Donor Day offers a moment of “gratitude, advocacy and renewed commitment” for thalassaemia patients...
Sustainable path?
Updated 13 Jun, 2026

Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
13 Jun, 2026

Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
13 Jun, 2026

Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...