LAHORE: The Pakistan Railways (PR) administration on Tuesday dismissed two officers from service following a detailed inquiry into the Khanewal bridge accident that found them responsible for negligence.

The accident had resulted in the death of a railway official and serious injuries to a woman passenger, prompting the federal minister for railways to order a comprehensive investigation into the incident which took place on May 30, last year.

According to the inquiry report, the then Divisional Engineer (DEN/Grade-18) Multan division Abid Razzaq and Assistant Engineer (AEN/Grade-17) Khanewal Raja Yousaf were removed from service following the completion of disciplinary proceedings.

Following the accident, the minister had announced that strict action would be taken against those found responsible, stressing that no leniency would be shown in cases involving loss of human life.

Accident had resulted in death of special ticket examiner and injuries to woman passenger last year

The inquiry report determined the negligence and responsibility of the concerned officials, leading to the disciplinary action.

According to a statement issued by the PR administration, the department remained committed to its “zero-tolerance” policy towards negligence and incompetence, adding that the case had been brought to its logical conclusion in light of the inquiry findings.

“The accountability process would continue and no compromise would be made on negligence or professional misconduct,” the statement added.

It may be recalled that on May 30, last year, a railway official (special ticket examiner) had died after a concrete slab of a 100-year-old decaying passenger / pedestrian overhead bridge collapsed from 30-foot height at the Khanewal Railway Station. A woman passenger had received multiple injuries after she fell down along with the slab that killed the railway official namely Muhammad Ikram. Soon after the incident, minister Mr Abbasi had suspended three employees posted in Multan and Khanewal for their negligence in timely maintenance of the bridge.

The Rescue 1122 teams had rushed to the spot and retrieved the body of the official after cutting the heavy slab weighing around one tonne. The officers suspended from service included Abid Razzaq, Divisional Engineer-1 (BS-18), Raja Yousuf, Assistant Executive Engineer (BS-17) and Muhammad Adil, Bridge Inspector (BS-16). The inquiry committee comprised the then railways CEO Amir Ali Baloch, IG (railways police) Rai Tahir and DS (Lahore) Tariq Latif.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2026