Pakistan Railways declares three-month emergency amid rising train accidents

Railway officers have been required to travel by train when visiting other cities for official duties," it said.The statement further added that chief engineers of the civil and mechanical departments would submit daily reports to the ministry on their respective areas of responsibility, while daily reports had also been sought from the head of safety.The emergency measures will remain in force until December 31.“We will provide passengers with the safest….

Repeated incidents have fuelled fear among passengers, some of whom say travelling by train remains a necessity despite the risks.Passengers have questioned how they can avoid railway travel when it remains an essential mode of transport for them.

The frequency of accidents has also raised questions about the implementation of safety measures under the directions of the railways minister.Read: PR to finally begin ML-1 work this yearDespite the minister's strict instructions, accidents have continued to occur, while railway officials have reportedly continued to provide reassuring assessments of the situation.

The recurring incidents have placed the department's safety and maintenance arrangements under scrutiny.According to railway sources, passenger and freight trains have been involved in more than 55 accidents of varying severity since the beginning of the year.

The Yusufwala coal train has reportedly been involved in several accidents.On August 27, 10 wagons of a freight train derailed near Khanpur.

On the same day, the engine and two coaches of the Rawal Express went off the tracks near Kala Gujran.On September 27, the Yusufwala coal train met with an accident near Khairpur.Earlier, on September 9, three wagons of a coal-laden freight train derailed at Kotri yard.

On September 2, the power van of the Khyber Mail derailed near Sanjani.Another coal train accident occurred on September 6, when seven wagons went off the tracks.

These incidents add to a series of mishaps involving freight operations, with railway sources identifying the Sukkur, Karachi and Multan divisions among the areas where most train accidents have occurred.On May 24, a shuttle train in Quetta was targeted in an act of sabotage, damaging three coaches.

The Rahman Baba Express also suffered a major accident in the Multan division, further highlighting the range of incidents affecting railway operations.

Pakistan Railways declares three-month emergency amid rising train accidents Qaiser Sherazi | Updated 26 minutes ago | Railways recorded more than 55 accidents involving passenger and freight trains since January 1.