Report: F T Reporter :
ISLAMABAD — The Senate Standing Committee on Railways held a high-level meeting at Parliament House under the chairmanship of Senator Shahadat Awan to review key operational, financial and administrative matters of Pakistan Railways. The meeting also welcomed newly appointed member Senator Bushra Anjum Butt.
The committee reviewed compliance with recommendations made during its meetings held on February 25 and May 11, 2026. It also examined the management of railway commercial assets and land, including 53 petrol pumps operating on railway property.
Officials informed the committee that the petrol pumps were being operated in accordance with PPRA rules. The committee directed that commercial rents be reviewed and fixed strictly in accordance with the law.
The committee also expressed concern over pending inquiries with NAB and FIA dating back to 2021 and directed the ministry and railway authorities to conduct departmental inquiries, determine responsibility and identify officials named in inquiry reports.
Regarding theft of High Speed Diesel (HSD), officials informed the committee that such incidents had been brought down to zero after fuel began being directly injected into train engines.
The committee expressed displeasure over incomplete or misleading reports submitted by officials and ordered a 15-day investigation into the matter. It also appreciated the recovery of 376 acres of railway land from illegal encroachments and directed authorities to accelerate the anti-encroachment drive and submit a comprehensive report within two months.
The committee further reviewed pending compensation cases and directed authorities to ensure fair and timely payments in accordance with court orders.
Minister for Railways assured the committee that transparency would be maintained in all future operations and that no railway land would be leased arbitrarily. He said all transactions would strictly follow the law.
The meeting also discussed major infrastructure projects, including the modernization of historic railway tracks and the 1,254-kilometre Main Line-2 (ML-2) project under a public-private partnership framework. The committee directed the ministry to finalize the MoU with the Sindh government at the earliest.
The Minister was also directed to personally visit the historic Dadu Railway Station, built in 1890, to assess its condition. Urgent instructions were issued for restoration of railway bridges damaged by recent heavy rains and flooding.
Senators Dost Ali Jeesa and Bushra Anjum Butt, the Minister for Railways and senior officials of concerned departments attended the meeting.
