ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Railways raised serious concerns over frequent train accidents and inadequate security measures and directed the Ministry of Railways to enhance security measures for Eid-ul-Fitr.
The standing committee held here on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Senator Shahadat Awan also directed the ministry to submit reports on audit matters and railway land encroachments across the country.
In response to the queries raised by the committee members, Senior Ministry officials of Railways briefed the committee on budgetary allocations for new development schemes and apprised members of the projects completed by the Ministry.
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 Eid-ul-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 committee was informed that the Main Line-1 (ML-1) project extends from Karachi to Peshawar, covering a total length of 1,726 kilometres. Officials stated that approximately 70 percent of the country’s population travels 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 apprised that recent floods have caused significant damage to railway infrastructure. The chairman directed the Ministry of Railways 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 financial embezzlement-related cases undertaken by 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.
Expressing serious concern over the frequent train accidents reported during the past year, the chairman observed that disciplinary action had largely been confined to train drivers, while no senior officers had been held accountable. He directed the Ministry to ensure that all responsible officials are proceeded against in accordance with the law.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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