Pakistan Railways has reported a sharp rise in train-related accidents, with 45 incidents recorded in the first six months of 2025, raising serious concerns over passenger safety and infrastructure reliability.
Despite implementing multiple safety measures, the national railway system continues to struggle with frequent derailments, service disruptions, and security threats, severely impacting both commuters and freight operations.
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Rising Accidents and Security Threats
Official data reveals that between January 1 and June 15, Pakistan Railways witnessed:
- 22 passenger train derailments
- 20 freight train accidents
- 3 miscellaneous incidents, including collisions and equipment failures
A major security breach occurred when the Jaffer Express was targeted in a sabotage attack near Jacobabad on June 18, where explosives damaged the track, derailing five coaches. This incident has intensified fears over railway security.
Major Incidents in Recent Weeks
- May 21: The Shalimar Express (Karachi to Lahore) collided with a brick-laden trolley at an unmanned crossing near Sahianwala, derailing all 15 coaches.
- May 30: The Rehman Baba Express crashed into a trolley at another unmanned crossing.
- June 1: The Pakistan Express narrowly escaped disaster when a trolley beneath its dining car detached near Mubarakpur.
- June 14: Three separate accidents occurred in a single day:
- The Khushhal Khan Khattak Express derailed six bogies near Kandhkot.
- The Allama Iqbal Express suffered brake failure while in motion.
- The Thal Express collided with a car.
Ongoing Challenges
In addition to derailments and collisions, engine failures and malfunctioning air conditioning systems have forced multiple trains to halt mid-journey, further disrupting services.
The repeated accidents have caused significant financial losses—running into tens of millions of rupees—while leaving passengers stranded and businesses affected. Authorities face mounting pressure to overhaul railway safety and infrastructure to prevent further tragedies.
As investigations continue, the government is under scrutiny to address the systemic failures plaguing Pakistan Railways.
