Lahore Train Derailments Raise Safety Concerns Nationwide

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A second train derailment in just two days has raised alarm over Pakistan’s railway infrastructure, as the recently inaugurated Pak Business Express went off the track early Saturday near the washing line area in Lahore. No injuries or fatalities were reported in this incident.

According to railway officials, the derailment occurred in the early morning hours, prompting the immediate dispatch of rescue and recovery teams. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

The Pak Business Express, launched earlier this week by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was designed to offer upgraded comfort and modern service. However, the derailment has cast doubt on the operational readiness of new and existing trains.

Meanwhile, the track near Kala Shah Kaku, which witnessed a more serious derailment a day earlier, was restored and cleared by Saturday afternoon. A preliminary report on that incident has been submitted to Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, attributing the derailment to a fractured rail joint.

On Friday, five coaches of the Islamabad Express, traveling from Lahore to Rawalpindi, overturned near Kala Shah Kaku, injuring over 150 passengers. The incident occurred just 15 kilometres from Lahore, narrowly avoiding a catastrophic fall into a nearby ravine.

Injured passenger Fazal Rahim, a resident of Swat, recounted the experience:

“The train was speeding excessively. There were jolts even before Shahdara. When we reached Kala Shah Kaku, everything went dark. There were screams and panic everywhere.”

He further criticized the state of Pakistan’s railway system:

“Other countries have bulletproof, high-speed trains, but our system hasn’t changed in decades. It’s the government’s duty to provide safe transport, and it’s failing.”

More than 400 labourers worked for over 17 hours using manual tools to repair the damaged 770-foot stretch of track.

According to the joint preliminary investigation, the derailment was caused by a fresh rail fracture near Shahdara Station. Investigators noted that fragile track conditions contributed significantly to the incident. A three-member committee has been formed to submit a full inquiry report within seven days. Members include:

• Hammad Raza, Additional GM Infrastructure
  
• Yusuf Laghari, Chief Mechanical Engineer
  
• Arif ur Rehman, Director Civil Works
  

The Ministry of Railways has emphasized that further details will be shared once the final report is complete.