Latest news with #RailwaysPolice
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Express Tribune
PR grapples with spiralling thefts
Theft incidents in Pakistan Railways have reached alarming levels, with moving trains, stationary carriages and even sophisticated computer-based signaling systems falling prey to criminals, insiders revealed on Wednesday. Despite lofty claims by the new railways minister, both the Railway Police and the administrative machinery appear to be in a deep slumber, unable to contain the growing wave of crimes potentially paralyzing railway operations. The sources said that the state of affairs continues to deteriorate as investigations reveal that not only were passengers being drugged and robbed aboard moving trains, but specialised copper wiring and other key assets were being stolen mid-journey. "PR transports nearly 50 million passengers each year and carries thousands of tons of freight from Karachi to remote parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, security measures across the network are severely lacking," they said. Daily thefts of valuable materials from various trains, railway stations and installations, including Lahore, have become disturbingly routine. Just last week, valuable cargo was reported stolen from loaded wagons parked at the Pattoki station. The 56 wagons had been en route from Karachi to Lahore and were stationary at Pattoki for a few hours when thieves struck. As a result, the wagons, stripped of their equipment, were rendered non-operational and had to be filled with replacement materials before being dispatched again. Similarly, at the old railway shed, key components such as power leads and jacks were stolen. Moreover, the computer-based interlocking system was not spared, with thieves digging underground to extract its crucial parts. In another incident, electrical wires from the old diesel shed were stolen. PR sources said the situation was dire, warning that repeated and increasing thefts of underground CBI components pose a serious threat to the integrity of the system. They further cautioned that maintaining the infrastructure has become exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, due to the breaches. Meanwhile, in light of the deteriorating situation, railway authorities have urgently called upon the Railway Police to implement immediate and strict measures to safeguard this critical infrastructure. In a bid to address the crisis, Inspector General of Railways Police Rao Tahir convened an emergency meeting to discuss strategies for curbing material theft. During the session, the issue of timely uniform distribution and budget allocations was also discussed. The IG instructed all SPs to focus specifically on preventing thefts of railway materials, especially signal equipment, which has been repeatedly targeted.
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
PM for framing strategy to expand rail links with C Asia
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the formulation of a strategy to expand the railway network in order to enhance trade relations with Central Asian countries. Chairing a meeting regarding Pakistan Railways in Islamabad on Wednesday, he noted that railway system is the backbone of any country's economy. He emphasized the need for a sustainable rebuilding of railway infrastructure across the country for economic and industrial development. He stated that the development of railways on modern lines is a key component of the national policy for regional trade and connectivity. He also instructed to expedite the work of connecting Gwadar to Pakistan Railways network. Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi briefed the Prime Minister on the ongoing reforms in Pakistan Railways. In a separate development, Pakistan Railways announced a reduction in train fares on Eidul Adha. Pakistan, Afghanistan push ahead with UAP rail project Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi announced a 20 percent discount on fares during the three days of Eidul Adha. Pakistan Railways also ran five special trains on account of Eid. According to the details, the first special train departed from Karachi Cantonment Railway Station for Lahore at 1:00 pm on June 2. The second special train had left Quetta for Peshawar at 10:00 am on June 3. On the same day, the third special train departed from Lahore for Karachi at 5:00 pm while fourth special train left Karachi Cantonment for Rawalpindi at 7:30 pm. The fifth and final Eid Special Train departed from Karachi Cantonment for Lahore at 7:30 pm on June 4. Railways Police has issued instructions to all Superintendent of Police (SP) Railways to tighten security in trains as well as at stations to avoid any untoward incident during Eid-ul-Azha days.
Express Tribune
23-04-2025
- Express Tribune
Railways police to be digitalised in three months, says IG
People board a train at the Lahore Railway Station as they return home ahead of Eidul Azha. PHOTO: NNI Listen to article Pakistan Railways Police will undergo full digital transformation within three months under a new reform plan aligned with the Punjab Police model, Inspector General Rai Muhammad Tahir said on Wednesday. Speaking to Express News, Tahir said the Railways Police will set up its own data server in collaboration with the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB). All manual records will gradually be digitised, with a focus on transparency and efficiency. 'We are phasing out the manual system. The goal is a modern, computerised policing model,' the IG said. The new system will include strict procedural regulations. Officers on duty at sites of theft or other incidents will be required to capture video evidence, which will become part of the digital case file. Officers arriving or leaving duty will be held accountable for reporting. To strengthen manpower, 500 new personnel have already been recruited, with plans to hire another 1,000 by December. A security upgrade plan has also been developed. It includes the installation of surveillance cameras and security equipment at 30 major and 70 minor railway stations, with a total budget of Rs3 billion. Additionally, Rs5 billion has been allocated to upgrade 50 police stations, and Rs8 billion more is expected to be included in next year's federal development schemes. Tahir reiterated a strict stance on internal accountability, stating that 'there is no place for corrupt officers in the Railways Police.' Investigation officers will receive three months of advanced training, and funds have been allocated to support improved logistics and investigative work. 'In the next three months, you will see a clear transformation in the Railways Police,' he said.
Express Tribune
16-04-2025
- Express Tribune
Quetta-bound trains security tightened
The locomotive of Jaffar Express is decorated as the train departs for Quetta from Peshawar Cantt Station. PHOTO: APP In the wake of last month's attack on the Jaffar Express, stringent security measures have been implemented for trains operating between Quetta and other cities, including Lahore. The number of security personnel deployed has been increased from 11 to 40, Inspector General of Railways Police Rao Muhammad Tahir told The Express Tribune. According to IG Tahir, boundary walls will be constructed at Quetta, Sibi and Mach railway stations to enhance security. Watchtowers will also be built at these locations, and trained snipers will be deployed to ensure better surveillance and response capability. Meanwhile, efforts are also being made to curb theft of railway material. According to IG Tahir, personnel going off duty will now be required to record video footage before handing over charge to their replacements to improve accountability and reduce pilferage. The IG further said that a decisive crackdown will be launched against land grabbers, and all encroached railway land will be retrieved at any cost. In order to improve daily operations, all police stations under the railways have been supplied with essential stationery and basic items required for routine work. Moreover, a summary has been sent for the upgradation of railway police personnel's pay scales to bring them at par with other law enforcement forces. The Jaffar Express came under attack on March 11 when Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) militants ambushed the Peshawar-bound train, which was carrying 440 passengers. The assailants opened fire and took hostages, prompting a security operation that lasted two days. Immediately after the attack, the security at train stations across the country had beefed up. Earlier this week, the Ministry of Railways informed the National Assembly that security has been ramped up with increased deployment of Pakistan Railways Police (PRP) and Frontier Corps (FC) personnel at railway stations across Quetta Division. Additional security has also been provided on the Jaffar and Bolan Express trains running between Quetta and Jacobabad. Responding in writing to a question by MNA Shahida Rehmani, the ministry said FC personnel have been stationed at key railway stations in the region, with pickets set up in hilly stretches between Mach and Sibi. As an added precaution, a pilot engine now precedes the Jaffar Express daily from Quetta to Sibi to ensure the track is clear of any threats.
Express Tribune
22-02-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Railway traffic disrupted as freight train derails
Relief activities are underway after a Karachi-bound freight train derailed in Okara due to the negligence of railway staff, disrupting rail traffic. PHOTO: NNI A Karachi-bound goods train derailed near Okara Cantt on Saturday due to the negligence of railway staff, causing disruption to railway traffic. According to details, the train had departed from Lahore for Karachi, but as it approached Okara Cantt, the railway track was not switched in time, forcing the driver to apply sudden brakes. The sudden brakes caused the derailment of the engine and several bogies. The accident left the train driver injured and trapped inside the damaged locomotive. Rescue teams managed to extract him from the wreckage and provided medical assistance. Speaking after the incident, the driver stated that he had no choice but to apply sudden brakes to prevent a head-on collision as the railway track had not been changed. Railway staff from Lahore and Multan were called in to repair the damaged track. Following the derailment, both railway tracks were closed, suspending train operations between Karachi and Lahore. Passenger trains were halted for hours at Okara and Sahiwal railway stations, causing severe hardship for travellers. However, one of the tracks was restored after seven hours, partially resuming operations. According to an initial investigation by the Railways Police, the accident was attributed to a combination of over-speeding and a delay in switching the track.
