The Senate Standing Committee on Railways blasted the Ministry of Railways for its continued failure to provide information and the absence of key officials at a meeting chaired by Jam Saifullah Khan on Tuesday. The committee expressed outrage over the lack of complete documentation regarding an alleged billion-rupee corruption case (FIR No. 1/2018), despite repeated requests. Senator Shahadat Awan criticized the ministry’s repeated failure to share complete details after 11 meetings.
Senators Rubina Khalid and Kamil Ali Agha echoed these sentiments, questioning the justification for members to travel when the ministry consistently failed to provide necessary data. Committee Chairman Khan reminded the ministry of earlier promises of transparency and demanded the presence of the Minister, Secretary, IG, and DIG Railways at the next meeting. He also mandated that future documents be organized, indexed, and numbered.
The committee also addressed the impact of floods, noting that older railway bridges had generally held up well. While some routes, like the Narowal-Sialkot section, experienced temporary disruptions, service has since been reinstated.
Restoration of the Budhal Express (Rohri-Jacobabad) and the Mandra-Chakwal railway line was another key discussion point. Senator Awan highlighted the financial burden on citizens due to the suspension of these services, forcing them to rely on costlier road transport. The committee expressed its displeasure with the ministry’s perceived lack of effort in restoring these routes, particularly the Mandra-Chakwal section, a potentially lucrative 75 km stretch serving cement factories. A detailed restoration plan is expected at the next meeting.
Senator Khalid emphasized the need for enhanced public awareness of rail services through media outreach. She also raised concerns about train closures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and advocated for equitable rail development across all provinces. Chairman Khan announced the next meeting will be held in Peshawar to focus on KP’s rail projects and amenities.
The committee also scrutinized the ministry’s outsourcing and public-private partnership strategies. Senator Khalid questioned the rationale behind adopting models not commonly used globally. The ministry has been asked to provide a comprehensive briefing on these practices.
Finally, the strategic importance of the Afghan transit trade was discussed, with Senator Khalid highlighting the need for rail access to Torkham Pass. The committee requested a briefing on railway gauges to determine the optimal system for connecting Pakistan with its neighbors. The committee issued a stern directive to the Ministry of Railways demanding full and timely compliance with its instructions and comprehensive reports on all agenda items at the upcoming meeting.