Senate panel on Railways seeks transparency over corruption cover-up

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Railways has taken a strong stance, demanding accountability for lack of transparency regarding corruption details. It also referred the issue to the Privilege Committee, ensuring that those responsible are held answerable for their actions.

The Senate Standing Committee on Railways, chaired by Senator Jam Saifullah Khan was held on Monday to address ongoing concerns about corruption and mismanagement within Pakistan Railways. The proceedings saw sharp observations from committee members, particularly from Senator Shahadat Awan, who expressed resentment over the Railways' repeated failure to provide necessary information regarding actions taken against corruption for the fifth consecutive meeting. The senator emphasised that the committee had previously set a deadline for the Railways to present details of action taken against corruption, but the authorities had failed to comply. "Despite several reminders, the Railways have not delivered the required details, leaving us no choice but to take this issue to the next level," Senator Awan said.

He noted that the Railways had cited a large number of cases pending in the courts, NAB and FIA as a reason for the delay, but stressed that this was no excuse for the lack of transparency. The NAB and FIA representatives present in the meeting informed that all the cases referred by the railways for inquiry have been completed except a few which have been recently referred by the Ministry.

According to Senator Awan, the Railways is involved in numerous legal disputes, with cases pending before both civil and session judges, some of which have been indefinitely postponed. "The land dispute is another serious issue," he added, revealing that 13,615 acres of the Railways land have been occupied, of which only 1,193 acres had been recovered. He pointed out that the Railways had failed to take decisive action to recover the land worth millions of rupees. In a stark assessment, Senator Awan criticised both past and present governments for their lack of sincerity in addressing the challenges facing the national rail service. "None of the previous or current administrations have shown any real commitment to reforming Pakistan Railways," he lamented.

The committee members also raised concerns about discrepancies in the information provided by the Railways' top officials. Senator Awan remarked that should the Railways continue to withhold information, he would take the matter into his own hands and make the information publicly available. "If they do not provide the necessary information today, I will ensure that the details I have are made public," he warned.

In light of the continued lack of transparency, the committee referred the matter to the Privilege Committee, which will now review whether the withholding of information constitutes a breach of parliamentary privilege. "It seems increasingly clear that the Railways is deliberately withholding vital information from this committee," said the committee's chairman, Senator Saifullah Khan.

Senator Awan also criticised the Railways' response to the tragic Quetta Railway Station blast, noting that not a single senior official visited the site of the incident. "The authorities failed to take action against those responsible for this heinous crime," he added. Senator Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee pointed out that the name of a BS-19 officer Tariq Latif, who was the DS Railway Sukkur during the twin train accident at Ghotki in June 2021 was included in the inquiry case of the incident, has been sent on deputation to National Highway Authority as Member Inspection in BS-20. The secretary Ministry of Railways informed that after the officer was issued show cause and an inquiry against him is pending. Chairman Senator Jam Saifullah Khan was amazed to learn how come the officer was sent on deputation to another ministry while the inquiry was still underway. He also expressed surprise that even after three years, the inquiry into the incident has not been completed yet.

The Chairman directed the repatriation of the officer and also decided to right a letter to the secretary establishment for the same. It was also recommended to the Ministry Of Railways to expedite the inquiry of the Ghotki train accident case.

Furthermore, it was discussed that the CEO who was appointed during the caretaker government on a temporary basis is still working in the same capacity. The panel also questioned the appointment temporarily. The members observed that it was necessary to appoint a competent officer to handle the CEO’s post.

The panel also lamented that even after the directions of the committee on train stop for Rehman Baba Express and Tezgam Express at Ghotki station has not been complied with. The chairman committee expressed resentment and stressed that the directions of the committee must be complied by timely The meeting concluded with the committee calling for urgent reforms and the immediate provision of all requested documents. The Privilege Committee is expected to take up the matter in its next sitting.