LAHORE: Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi, during a surprise visit to Lahore Railway Station on Friday, suspended the divisional medical officer for “her failure to ensure cleanliness at the platforms, toilets, eateries, etc.”

According to reports, the minister, after visiting various stations, arrived in Lahore, which forced Chief Executive Officer Amir Ali Baloch, Divisional Superintendent Tariq Latif and others to rush to the station.

Mr Abbasi reprimanded the officers for poor sanitation arrangements and suspended DMO Saima Mumtaz from service.

He also took notice of the absence of workers during duty hours and snubbed the station master for poor administration.

Suspends senior medical officer; says corruption cases to be sent to FIA

He directed the officers to call all the staff working at officers’ residences back with immediate effect and allowed the Punjab Food Authority to inspect eateries and canteens to ensure the provision of hygienic food to passengers.

“The current situation of the railways is due to the recruitment of people based on favouritism. This is not the time to be soft — we need to be strict to streamline these issues,” the minister said.

He said he would also send corruption cases to the FIA for investigation and action against those found guilty.

He later attended a meeting at the railways headquarters and decided to offer five luxury rail saloons, allocated for the prime minister, minister, chairman, CEO and the PR police inspector general, for rent to interested parties for travel purposes.

When contacted, Minister Abbasi said railway officers had turned the department into their personal courtyard and warned them to stop such practices.

“I started inspection from Rawalpindi station, followed by Golra, Margalla and other stations on Thursday. I found arrangements there to be good. But at Lahore station, I found a very bad situation, particularly related to cleanliness,” the minister told Dawn.

He said the conditions on the Awam Express, at the washing line, Mughalpura workshop and other places were also unsatisfactory.

He said the sanitation staff work under the command of the DMO, who had willingly taken on the responsibility.

“But when 32 out of 34 sanitation workers are serving at officers’ residences, how can cleanliness be ensured? This is the reason for the DMO’s suspension,” he said.

He added that he had given officers and staff sufficient time to fix the things.

“But now, it is time to take action instead of giving more time,” Mr Abbasi said.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2025