Pakistan Railways has ordered that field officers will not be granted leave for the next three months. The department has placed its operations under emergency rules aimed at tightening train safety, according to a statement issued by its headquarters in Lahore. The measures will remain in force until December 31.
The step was taken on the instructions of Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi. Speaking about the decision, Abbasi said the department would provide “the safest possible travel” in line with the prime minister’s vision.
New duties for officers and daily reporting
Under the new directions, field officers must make site visits and supervise train operations on Sundays. Officers travelling to other cities for official work have been told to use trains.
The chief engineers of the civil and mechanical departments must send daily reports to the ministry on matters under their supervision. The head of safety has also been asked to provide daily reports.
Concern over a run of accidents
The decision follows a series of incidents. Railway sources say more than 55 accidents involving passenger and freight trains have been reported across Pakistan since January 2026. They say the accidents have left several people dead and dozens injured, and have caused damage to railway infrastructure worth millions of rupees.
Several derailments have been reported in recent months, including incidents involving the Rawal Express, the Khyber Mail and a Yusufwala coal train. Railway sources named the Sukkur, Karachi and Multan divisions as the areas with the highest number of accidents.
The repeated incidents have raised questions about railway maintenance standards and how safety measures have been carried out, even though the minister had already issued instructions on the issue.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- January 2026: the count of reported accidents begins; railway sources say more than 55 have been reported since then.
- Recent months: derailments are reported, including those involving the Rawal Express, the Khyber Mail and a Yusufwala coal train.
- Now: Pakistan Railways declares an emergency across the department and cancels leave for field officers for three months.
- December 31: the emergency measures are due to end, according to the statement.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Pakistan Railways ne field officers ki chhuttiyan teen mah ke liye band kar di hain aur poore mehkame mein emergency lagayi gayi hai. Yeh faisla train safety behtar karne ke liye liya gaya hai, kyunki January 2026 se 55 se zyada hadson ki khabar aa chuki hai. Emergency 31 December tak rahegi. Aam musafir ke liye iska matlab hai ke safar mein safety par zyada nigrani hogi.
