Lahore:
Pakistan railways recorded a total of 45 incidents related to the train in the first six months of 2025, concerning the concerns about the persistent security and infrastructure challenges through the national rail network.
Despite all the available resources and the launch of multiple security measures, PRs were unable to prevent the derailment of passenger and freight trains or avoid recurring accidents.
Frequent derailment has not only caused distress to passengers, but have also disrupted commercial operations across the country. Recent terrorist attacks against trains have further exacerbated the crisis.
According to official statistics, from January 1 to June 15, a total of 45 accidents related to the train occurred, including derailments and other incidents. Accidents included 22 derails involving passenger trains, 20 involving goods trains and three various incidents.
Among the most alarming events, there was the kidnapping incident involving Jaffer Express, which raised serious concerns about the safety of passengers and trains.
Several people were injured as a result of these accidents, while the infrastructure of the Pakistani railways has undergone financial damage for an amount of tens of millions of rupees.
One of the most serious incidents took place on May 21, when Shalimar Express, traveling from Karachi to Lahore, collided with a carriage loaded with brick at a level without pilot crossing near the Sahianwala Darul Ehsan. The impact has derailed the 15 train coaches.
On May 30, Rehman Baba Express met an accident after hitting a cart during another level without pilot. On June 1, Pakistan Express narrowly avoided a major disaster when a cart under their dining car broke near Mubarakpur.
On June 14, three separate incidents linked to trains occurred. The Khushhal Khan Khattak Express, en route to Peshawar, derailed six bogies in Kandhkot. On the same day, Allama Iqbal Express avoided disaster when a dysfunction was reported in its brake block while the train was in motion. Meanwhile, the Thal Express collided with a car.
On June 18, the Jaffar Express was targeted during a sabotage attack near Jacobabad, where explosive equipment was used to explode the railway, derailing five coaches.
In addition to these incidents, air conditioners work poorly in moving trains and overheating of engines have led several trains to be stopped in mid-review.
