LAHORE: At least five people were killed and 41 injured when the Peshawar-bound Rehman Baba Express derailed near Sher Shah Railway Station in Multan district on Tuesday, raising fresh concerns over railway safety and maintenance.
Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi confirmed four deaths, saying the Federal Government Inspector of Railways (FGIR) had been appointed to investigate the incident. However, a Pakistan Railways spokesperson, Babar Ali, earlier reported that five passengers had died.
“We have appointed the FGIR to probe the incident. However, I cannot confirm that five passengers have died, as the railway’s divisional superintendent in Multan has reported four deaths,” the minister said.
According to a casualty list issued by Pakistan Railways, 41 people were injured. Three were discharged from hospital, while 38 were referred to Nishtar Hospital in Multan. At least 13 minors were among the injured.
Speaking to the Business Recorder, train driver Rizwan Abbas said the train was travelling at 100 kilometres per hour when the incident occurred.
“The signal was clear, and as I was passing through the Sher Shah Station area, I suddenly felt a push,” he said. He said he applied the brakes and brought the train to a stop. “When I got out of the locomotive and looked back, I saw that the passenger coaches had derailed and were lying off the tracks. It was horrible,” he added.
Abbasi expressed grief over the loss of life and directed officials to provide the best possible medical facilities to the injured. He said compensation would be paid to the deceased and injured passengers under the Pakistan Railways insurance policy.
The minister travelled to the accident site to assess the situation and review rescue operations. He later acknowledged his responsibility for ensuring passenger safety and said the ministry was working to address problems involving locomotives, coaches and wagons, setting December 31 as the deadline for completing the work.
“Before this, no one even tried to focus on the mechanical condition of trains,” he said. “Even today, there are five or six trains, such as the Karakoram Express, Millat Express and Awam Express, that you cannot even look at because they seem ancient.”
Asked whether he would resign, Abbasi said: “Have some patience. We need to investigate the incident first, and those responsible will be held accountable. In fact, I was just on a call with the prime minister. We are trying to prevent such incidents and making efforts to that end. Giving up and running away is not in our nature.”
Pakistan Railways arranged a replacement train for the Rehman Baba Express, which was carrying more than 500 passengers.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026