Unsafe railways

It seems it is hazardous to travel by railway in this country as there is no let up in unwarranted incidents. The most recent one happened in Karachi where a speeding train rammed into a stationary train causing the death of 22 passengers. On the same day, an engine derailed in Punjab. This has become a common occurrence now, but thankfully no loss of life was reported. In civilised countries, whenever such tragic accidents occur, the concerned minister or senior officials accept responsibility. In Pakistan, there is no tradition of owning responsibility and someone else in the organisation is usually made the scapegoat.

The moot point is that Pakistan Railways is in a mess due to lack of investment and preference for road transport over railways. There are no two opinions that railways are the cheapest mode of mass transport both for passenger and carriage of goods. Will Minister for Railways Saad Rafique tell the nation why the railways are being neglected and starved of funds and what steps have been taken to avoid the recurrence of fatal accidents?

Huma Arif

Karachi