LAHORE: A rising number of train derailments, accidents and other mishaps has forced Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi to reprimand senior officials and warn them to improve performance or leave the department.

Presiding over a high-level meeting in Lahore on Tuesday, the minister directed officers to place passenger safety, both at stations and during journeys, as their top priority.

An internal report revealed that nearly 75 derailments and accidents — 14 of them caused by human error — have taken place on various routes since January, Dawn has learnt.

“The deteriorating train operations have created panic, compelling the minister to take drastic measures. In the coming days you will see transfers, postings and disciplinary action against negligent officials,” an official source in the department told Dawn.

75 derailments, accidents have taken place since January, internal report reveals

According to the report, 11 train incidents were recorded in January due to human error, defective rolling stock and sabotage. Trains affected included Shalimar Express, Bahauddin Zakria Express, Sukkur Express, Pak Business Express and six goods trains.

In February, eight incidents were reported, involving Khy­ber Mail, Jaffar Express and several goods trains. March saw nine accidents across different divisions, including Jaffar Express, Awam Express, Sukkur Express, Tezgam Express and goods trains.

In April, five incidents occurred, affecting Allama Iqbal Express, Moinjodaro Passenger and goods trains. May also recorded five accidents, involving Hazara Express, Shalimar Express and three goods trains.

June proved the worst month, with 15 derailments and accidents. Trains involved included Pakistan Express (twice), Thal Express, Jaffar Express, Khushhal Khan Khattak Express, Awam Express, Sialkot Express, Mehr Express and several goods trains.

In July, eight incidents were reported, directly affecting Lasani Express, Jaffar Express and goods trains. A locomotive also derailed. In August, 13 accidents occurred, including derailments of Islamabad Express, Mianwali Express, Awam Express, Jaffar Express and goods trains. Another locomotive also derailed.

“These are only the incidents documented in the report. There may be more, as some minor cases were not recorded,” said a source, adding that several passengers were injured in different accidents, and one lost his life. He added that in a partial bridge collapse at Khanewal station, a railway employee was killed while a woman passenger sustained multiple injuries.

Minister’s directives

The railways minister expressed anger over officers’ failure to ensure safe operations and assigned new targets to the mechanical department.

He ordered the additional general manager (mechanical) to conduct a full inspection of the General Store and submit a third-party evaluation report within 10 days. He also instructed that a plan for immediate procurement of safety-related items through third-party sources be prepared within a week.

The meeting decided that the refurbishment of railcars must be completed within 60 days to improve passenger facilities.

The minister expressed concern that 600 coal wagons were lying unfit and directed that they be restored and reinducted into freight operations within two months to boost Karachi-bound revenue.

He also ordered the upgrade of the Narowal Section, early installation of new air-conditioning units in Chinese coa­ches, and faster production at the Islamabad Carriage Fac­tory so that new coaches can be manufactured and pressed into service without delay.

Mr Abbasi further directed that options for outsourcing power plants be examined and a roadmap prepared for repairing accident-damaged locomotives.

The AGM (mechanical) was tasked with ensuring implementation of these orders under the supervision of the CEO.

One-on-one meetings

The minister also held one-on-one meetings with officers of the traffic and commercial departments. He reiterated that the principle of “right man for the right job” would be strictly enforced in PR. Only officers who deliver results will be considered for key postings and promotions, he said. “Those who fail to deliver will themselves be responsible for the consequences.”

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2025