Pakistan Railways Declares Emergency, Cancels Leave After Train Crashes

LAHORE: In the wake of a spate of deadly train derailments and accidents across the country, Pakistan Railways has officially declared an operational emergency until December 31, cancelling all weekend leaves and public holidays for key officials. The drastic measure aims to force an immediate overhaul and address severe safety deficiencies across the national rail network following a fatal crash near Multan that left multiple passengers dead and dozens injured.

Announcing the decision, Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi warned that neither he nor operational staff would take time off until all vulnerabilities in infrastructure and rolling stock are rectified. “Until all deficiencies in passenger coaches, goods wagons, locomotives, signalling, and overall infrastructure are removed, no one in the operations department will be allowed to avail themselves of Saturday and Sunday holidays,” Abbasi asserted. He added that a comprehensive health analysis of 1,546 coaches and wagons has already been completed to identify critical structural defects.

The urgent directive highlights years of systemic neglect, deteriorating railway tracks, outdated signalling systems, and faulty rolling stock that have severely compromised passenger safety and freight logistics. The state-owned enterprise has faced growing public outrage and criticism over recurring safety lapses, which have repeatedly derailed major transit corridors and inflicted heavy financial losses on the national exchequer while risking human lives.

Under the newly enforced emergency protocol, railway engineering and maintenance teams are working around the clock to meet the December 31 deadline set by the ministry. Officials warned that strict disciplinary action will be taken against staff found flouting the order, as senior management attempts to restore public confidence in the national transport network ahead of the peak winter travel season.