RAWALPINDI: Several coaches and the locomotive of the empty rake of the Greenline Express train derailed a kilometre away from Rawalpindi Railway Station on Wednesday, apparently due to the poor condition of the track as described by railway officials.

The rake was on its way to the Margalla Railway Station in Islamabad to prepare for 6DN journey with passengers to Karachi when the locomotive and several coaches derailed. Except for the locomotive and two passenger coaches, the remaining coaches were put back on track and moved swiftly to Rawalpindi Railway Station from where Greenline Express departed for Karachi with a delay of half an hour.

The waiting passengers at the Margalla Railway Station were moved to Rawalpindi station by buses and coaches by the railway administration of Rawalpindi, for onward journey.

Divisional Superintendent of Pakistan Railways Nooruddin told Dawn that the cause of the derailment was apparently ‘weak track’ on this particular point located close to Bakery Chowk. The weak track of the mainline has raised concern over the poor maintenance of track being used for train and freight services.

DS says cause of derailment was apparently ‘weak track’ located close to Bakery Chowk

The divisional superintendent further said the train service from Peshawar and Hazara to Rawalpindi remained unaffected in view of the dual track. Arrangements have been made to put the locomotive and two coaches back on track, he added.

Greenline Express is among the trains operating in the luxurious category in the Pakistan Railways system.It is a flagship rail of Pakistan Railways and is considered as the country’s most premium train service between Islamabad and Karachi operating on daily basis, offering luxury travel.

Meanwhile, the Senate Standing Committee on Railways, at a meeting on Wednesday, expressed serious concern over the frequent train accidents reported during the past year.

Committee Chairman Senator Shahadat Awan observed that disciplinary action had largely been confined to train drivers, while no senior officers had been held accountable. He directed the railways ministry to ensure that all responsible officials are proceeded against in accordance with law.

Highlighting security gaps at railway stations and onboard trains, the chairman emphasised the need for comprehensive security arrangements in view of the upcoming festival of Eidul Fitr. The committee also sought an update on new recruitments aimed at strengthening the railway security wing. The chairman directed the DIG Railways to provide periodic briefings to the committee on theft cases and related preventive measures.

Taking note of concerns raised by Senator Rubina Khalid regarding inadequate train services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the chairman directed the ministry to brief the committee in forthcoming meetings on consultations held with the provinces regarding the upgradation and expansion of the railway network. The ministry briefed the committee on budgetary allocations for new development schemes and apprised members of the projects completed by the ministry.

The committee was informed that the Main Line-1 (ML-1) project extended from Karachi to Peshawar, covering a total length of 1,726km.

Officials stated that approximately 70pc of the country’s population travelled through the ML-1 corridor. It was further informed that the track from Karachi to Lahore is double track, whereas the section from Lahore to Peshawar is single track. The committee was also informed that recent floods have caused significant damage to the railway infrastructure.

Senator Shahadat Awan directed the railways ministry to expedite the disposal of all pending matters of departmental committees on a priority basis and to submit a comprehensive report detailing disposed and pending audit paras.

He further instructed the ministry to furnish, within one month, a complete list of cases related to the National Accountability Bureau and the Federal Investigation Agency. The committee also sought details within three months regarding progress made in the vacation of encroached railway land.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2026