Pakistan's Railway Operations Under Scrutiny: Key Issues and Recommendations

Strategic Insights -

The Senate Standing Committee on Railways convened in Karachi to address pressing issues in Pakistan's railway operations. Chaired by Senator Jam Saifullah Khan Dharejo, the committee highlighted the need for reviving inoperative routes and urged the Ministry of Railways to undertake immediate safety measures to reduce train accidents. The meeting revealed that the Karachi Railway Division has 624 kilometers of operational routes, with 439 kilometers remaining inactive.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Karachi Railway Division has 624 kilometers of operational routes, with 439 kilometers remaining inactive, highlighting the need for reviving inoperative routes.
  • The committee urged the Ministry of Railways to undertake immediate safety measures to reduce train accidents, with a focus on reactivating economically viable routes.
  • Senator Nasir Mehmood Butt pressed for concrete actions to ensure passenger safety, while the committee directed the Ministry to prioritize reducing train accidents.
  • The long-pending ML-1 project and the vulnerable Sukkur-Multan section were discussed, with the committee urging the Ministry to expedite these projects and develop strategies to protect railway infrastructure from waterlogging and flood damage.
  • Senator Dost Muhammad advocated for the revival of the circular railway project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to serve public demand and increase revenue.
  • The Secretary of Railways confirmed ongoing efforts to engage provinces in collaborative projects, including station upgrades and staffing adjustments.
  • The committee condemned fraudulent job advertisements and advised immediate reporting to cybercrime authorities, also addressing illegal encroachments on railway land and urging provincial governments to assist in land recovery.
  • Additional passenger amenity improvements were directed at high-traffic stations like Hyderabad and Rohri, while concerns over delays in employee payments were raised, with the Ministry of Finance being urged to allocate special funds.
  • Security measures at Balochistan railway stations, particularly in Quetta, were also discussed, with enhanced security plans in development following recent attacks.

Statistics:

  • 624 kilometers of operational routes in the Karachi Railway Division.
  • 439 kilometers of inoperative routes in the Karachi Railway Division.
  • 624 kilometers + 439 kilometers = 1063 kilometers of railway tracks in Karachi.
  • 15% of railway tracks remain inactive (439 km / 1063 km).

Sources:

  • Senate Standing Committee on Railways
  • Senator Jam Saifullah Khan Dharejo
  • Senator Nasir Mehmood Butt
  • Senator Dost Muhammad