Safety off track

Pakistan Railways is lurching from one preventable disaster to another. In just the first six months of 2025, the network has witnessed 45 train-related accidents. Of the 45 incidents, 22 involved passenger trains and 20 freight trains. No amount of official statements or half-hearted safety "initiatives" can now mask the dangerous reality that our railways are neither safe nor reliable.

The consequences extend beyond physical injuries and financial losses running into tens of millions of rupees. Each accident disrupts lives, paralyses trade and erodes public confidence. The recent kidnapping of passengers on the Jaffer Express marks a new low — one that exposes the railway's failure not just in safety, but also in security.

For years, Pakistan Railways has operated on outdated infrastructure and a bureaucracy that prioritises damage control over meaningful change. That has to end. The way forward is clear, but it requires political will and administrative resolve. First, unmanned level crossings — death traps across the country — must be eliminated through either full automation or permanent staffing. Second, real-time monitoring and fail-safe signalling systems must be made standard. Third, any staff negligence — from drivers to supervisors — must face swift and transparent accountability. And finally, the security apparatus on trains needs to be overhauled. If passengers cannot travel without fear of abduction, then Pakistan Railways has failed in its most fundamental duty.

The tracks are stained with negligence, and each new incident should serve as a final warning. Pakistan cannot afford to lose more lives and billions in economic losses due to institutional inertia. The railways serve as a lifeline for millions — especially those who cannot afford alternatives. Dismantling the system is not the solution. Reforming and rebuilding it from the ground up is.