Pakistan Railways has imposed an emergency across the department on the instructions of Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, following a rise in train accidents this year. A statement issued by the railways headquarters in Lahore on Saturday said all leave for field officers had been cancelled for three months.
Officers have been told to visit the field and supervise train operations on Sundays, and to travel by train when visiting other cities on official duty. Chief engineers of the civil and mechanical departments will send daily reports to the ministry, and daily reports have also been sought from the head of safety. The measures will remain in force until December 31.
"We will provide passengers with the safest possible travel in line with the prime minister's vision," Abbasi said.
According to sources, more than 55 accidents involving passenger and freight trains have been recorded since January 1, leaving several people dead, dozens injured and causing millions of rupees in damage to railway assets. Passengers will now be watching whether the emergency makes a difference on the tracks.