Pakistan Railways Declares Three-Month Emergency After 55 Accidents
A Pakistan Railways three-month emergency is now in force after more than 55 accidents involving passenger and freight trains since January 1, 2026. The emergency will run until December 31.
The order came on the instructions of Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, according to a statement from Pakistan Railways headquarters in Lahore on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
All leave for field officers has been cancelled for three months. Officers must visit the field and supervise train operations on Sundays, and they must travel by train when visiting other cities on official duty.
Pakistan Railways three-month emergency: daily reports and field checks
Chief engineers of the civil and mechanical departments will submit daily reports to the ministry on their areas of work. Daily reports have also been sought from the head of safety.
“We will provide passengers with the safest possible travel in line with the prime minister’s vision,” Abbasi said.
The measures aim to put senior officers on the ground and force daily accountability for safety, maintenance, and operations. The department has faced repeated questions about why accidents keep happening despite earlier warnings and inspections.
A year of repeated accidents
Railways recorded more than 55 accidents involving passenger and freight trains since January 1, raising concerns about safety, maintenance standards, and the effectiveness of measures announced to prevent mishaps.
The accidents have left several people dead and dozens injured, and caused millions of rupees in damage to railway infrastructure. Passengers have said travelling by train remains a necessity despite the risks, and have questioned how they can avoid a service they depend on.
Recent incidents show the pattern. On August 27, 10 wagons of a freight train derailed near Khanpur, and 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, and on September 2 the power van of the Khyber Mail derailed near Sanjani. Another coal train accident on September 6 saw seven wagons go off the tracks.
Railway sources identified 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, and the Rahman Baba Express suffered a major accident in the Multan division.
The wider rail picture
The emergency comes as Pakistan Railways pushes ahead with its biggest upgrade in years. Feature Pakistan reported on the $2.5 billion Karachi-Rohri track project, the first phase of ML-1, with civil work due to start in January 2027.
That project matters for safety as much as for speed. Much of the current network runs on ageing track and signalling, and the ML-1 upgrade is meant to replace the worst sections. Until it is built, however, passengers depend on inspections, maintenance, and the daily discipline the emergency now demands.
Road transport faces its own safety push. The government has also moved to increase fines for vehicle overloading, another step aimed at cutting accidents on highways. Fuel costs add further pressure on travellers: Feature Pakistan covered the latest diesel price rise, with petrol unchanged.
What happens next
The emergency measures stay in force until December 31. Officers will file daily reports, field visits will run on Sundays, and leave remains cancelled for field staff.
The test will be whether accident numbers fall. Despite strict instructions from the minister, accidents have continued, and railway officials have offered reassuring assessments even as incidents piled up. Passengers will judge the emergency by results on the track, not by statements from headquarters.
On October 17, Abbasi visited the Steel and Carriage Shops in Mughalpura, where he inspected production facilities and directed officials to ensure quality standards in railway components. That visit, and the new emergency, point to the same goal: fewer accidents, safer trains, and a department that answers daily for its record.
Frequently asked questions
Why has Pakistan Railways declared an emergency?
More than 55 passenger and freight train accidents have been recorded since January 1, 2026, raising safety concerns across the network.
How long will the emergency last?
The measures, including cancelled leave for field officers and daily safety reports, remain in force until December 31, 2026.
What must officers do under the emergency?
Field officers must visit the field, supervise operations on Sundays, travel by train on official visits, and file daily reports to the ministry.
