555 Cases Disappear From Pakistan Railways List, Senate Demands Answers
Nadeem Tanoli
Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Railways has raised serious questions over missing legal records, a reported drop of 555 cases in a list submitted to the committee and the failure of Pakistan Railways to provide details of theft, misappropriation and embezzlement cases. The committee chairman warned that action could be taken against the officials responsible if the required information was not submitted.
The committee, chaired by Senator Shahadat Awan at Old PIPS Hall in Parliament Lodges, Islamabad, also questioned the performance of the Railways legal department and demanded a clear record of pending court cases, including cases before the Supreme Court.
During the meeting, the chairman expressed concern that the number of cases reported to the committee had changed. Referring to an earlier briefing, he said the latest list showed a reported decrease of 555 cases and asked the Ministry to explain the difference. He stressed that every case must be properly recorded and followed up instead of being left unattended.
The chairman also pointed out that the committee had previously asked for details of theft, misappropriation and embezzlement cases. However, the Ministry had failed to provide the required information about the registration of first information reports, or FIRs.
Senator Kamil Ali Agha called for complete and updated information about all pending cases. He directed the Ministry to provide a detailed breakdown showing how many cases were pending in each court, their present status and the latest progress in each matter.
The chairman said Pakistan Railways needed a proper system to track its court cases and the work of its lawyers. He suggested appointing a designated officer to keep records updated and regularly report progress to the Ministry and the committee.
He criticised the incomplete working papers submitted to the committee, saying such failures pointed to possible inefficiency or a lack of proper checking. He added that the committee had repeatedly asked for information about cases, including those before the Supreme Court, but had still not received the required details.
The chairman warned that appropriate action would follow against the officials concerned if they failed to provide the requested records.
The committee also questioned how Pakistan Railways hired legal advisers and paid special fees. The chairman noted that the department already had a panel of around 325 lawyers dealing with civil cases and said the hiring of additional lawyers needed clear reasons and a transparent process.
He also asked about the total number of prosecuting inspectors working across the country.
Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said the department had made serious efforts to deal with illegal occupations of railway land. He also recognised the support and guidance provided by the standing committee in improving the department’s performance.
However, the committee raised concerns about complaints involving the activities of the Railways police in Sukkur and Larkana. The chairman referred to concerns raised by Sukkur Mayor Barrister Arslan Sheikh and Larkana MPA Jamil Ahmad Somro, who said railway police were disturbing people living in Kacchi Abadi areas and on provincial land that did not belong to Pakistan Railways.
The chairman stressed that railway land must be clearly marked before action was taken against people accused of occupying it illegally. He said proper demarcation was necessary to prevent action against residents living on provincial land and to avoid unnecessary legal disputes between the provincial and federal governments.
He said the railway minister and chairman could contact the Sukkur mayor and the Larkana MPA if needed to resolve the issue. He also stressed that the Ministry must act strictly within the law.
The committee reviewed the Ministry’s compliance with recommendations made at its previous meeting on October 6, 2026. It also received a briefing on the existing travel concession facility available to journalists through Pakistan Railways.
The committee expected journalists to receive all facilities provided under the existing policy.
At the end of the meeting, the chairman raised an additional matter concerning the Gadani Bridge in Sukkur. He directed the Ministry to help the municipal government with the construction of the bridge and issue a no objection certificate, or NOC, if one was required.
