The National Assembly Standing Committee on Railways has instructed Pakistan Railways to boost passenger security by installing three signal jammers on every train and increasing patrols along sensitive routes. The directive comes after the Jaffer Express blast in Sindh earlier this month.
Committee Reviews Train Blast and Safety Measures
Chaired by MNA Ramesh Lal, the session examined multiple issues, the October 7 IED attack on the Jaffer Express, encroachments on railway land, and progress on the Karachi-Pipri Freight Corridor Project.
Officials briefed lawmakers that the Jaffer Express, travelling from Rawalpindi to Quetta, was targeted near Sultan Kot Railway Station with a remote-controlled explosive device. The blast derailed five bogies and injured seven people, including railway staff.
Security agencies and the Frontier Corps (FC) have since stepped up joint patrols and launched investigations to track down the perpetrators.
BLA Hijacking Incident Recalled
The DIG Railways Police informed the committee that the attack used four to five explosive devices. He also recalled a March hijacking attempt by BLA militants in Balochistan. The assault had left 26 passengers martyred before the military killed 33 attackers and rescued over 400 hostages.
Land Encroachments in Focus
Officials from the Sukkur Division told the committee that 3,200 acres of railway land remain illegally occupied, while 16,458 acres are under operational use. Lawmakers directed the ministry to submit a detailed report on leasing procedures and plans to reclaim encroached property.
Update on Karachi-Pipri Freight Corridor
The $400 million Karachi-Pipri Freight Corridor Project also came under review. The Railways Secretary said the project will link Karachi Port with the M-9 Motorway through two new railway lines. The first phase should finish within six months, after which 17 freight trains will operate daily.
Call for Transparency and Accountability
Committee members urged greater transparency in railway projects and demanded faster security upgrades nationwide. They emphasised that restoring passenger trust requires visible safety improvements and accountability in project execution.
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