ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Railways informed the National Assembly (NA) on Friday that a total of 448 accidents occurred across the Pakistan Railways network during the last five years, including 164 major accidents, according to written details submitted to the lower house.
Responding to a question raised by MNA Asiya Naz Tanoli during the National Assembly’s question hour, the ministry stated that Pakistan Railways operates approximately 40,000 trains annually on average, while around 33 major accidents occur each year, reflecting an accident ratio of 0.082 per cent.
According to the ministry, from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2025, a total of 448 accidents were reported across the railway network, of which 164 were categorised as major incidents.
The ministry disclosed that the highest number of major accidents was recorded in 2025, when 49 serious incidents took place. The same year also witnessed the largest number of passenger train derailments, with 47 derailment cases reported.
Official figures presented before the National Assembly showed that 22 major accidents were recorded in 2021, 18 in 2022, 35 in 2023, and 40 in 2024.
The ministry further informed the House that railway accidents claimed 169 lives during the five-year period, including 134 passengers, 28 road users, and seven Pakistan Railways employees.
In another written reply to a question by MNA Muhammad Bashir Khan, the ministry stated that Pakistan Railways generated record revenue of Rs93.601 billion during Fiscal Year 2024-25 through improved operational efficiency, enhanced resource management, expansion in core business activities, and strict financial discipline.
The ministry said operating expenditures were contained at Rs91.184 billion through austerity measures and better financial controls, enabling the department to post an operating surplus of Rs2.417 billion. According to the ministry, Pakistan Railways had been operating under persistent deficits since Fiscal Year 1980-81. However, the organisation has witnessed a significant turnaround in operational performance over the last two years.
After posting losses for several consecutive years, Pakistan Railways achieved an operating surplus of Rs0.412 billion in FY2023-24, which further increased to Rs2.417 billion in FY2024-25.
The ministry stated that the improved financial position demonstrates that operational revenues are now sufficient to meet day-to-day expenditures, reflecting enhanced efficiency, better utilisation of resources, and successful administrative and commercial reforms.
It added that Pakistan Railways currently meets its operational expenses — including infrastructure and rolling stock maintenance, fuel costs, operational expenditures, and employees’ salaries — through internally generated revenue.
However, pension liabilities and retirement benefits of former employees continue to be paid through federal government grant-in-aid, although these obligations remain on the books of Pakistan Railways. In the passenger sector, the ministry said Pakistan Railways has initiated commercialisation and outsourcing measures aimed at improving service delivery and increasing revenue generation.
The outsourcing of three passenger trains has already been completed, while outsourcing of another 15 passenger trains is currently under process. Open auction for these services is expected to take place during the first week of June 2026. The ministry estimated that the outsourcing initiative under the public-private partnership (PPP) model would generate approximately Rs24.7 billion annually.
Furthermore, Pakistan Railways has outsourced 41 luggage and brake vans, resulting in a significant increase in revenue from nearly Rs1 billion to Rs6 billion over the past five years.
In the freight sector, Pakistan Railways is currently transporting around 22,000 tonnes of cargo daily through approximately nine freight trains, generating average daily revenue of nearly Rs151 million.
Responding to a question, Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Education and Professional Training Farah Naz informed the House that the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project would play a key role in improving rail safety and modernising Pakistan Railways.
She said the groundbreaking ceremony for the ML-1 project had already been held and the initiative was expected to address major issues relating to train derailments and railway accidents.
She informed the House that Pakistan Railways had generated Rs100 million independently, while the government had provided an additional grant of Rs70 million to meet the financial requirements of retired employees.
She added that complaints received through the digital system were immediately forwarded to the relevant authorities for prompt action and resolution, ensuring improved accountability and timely response.
Providing further details, the parliamentary secretary said development and upgradation work had been undertaken in railway divisions including Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan, Sukkur, Karachi and Quetta.
She informed the NA that a total of Rs243.675 million had been utilised for the upgradation of railway stations aimed at improving passenger facilities and service standards across the railway network.
Farah Naz expressed optimism that Pakistan Railways would continue to witness further improvements in operational efficiency and passenger services through ongoing reforms and infrastructure development initiatives.
Responding to another question, the parliamentary secretary informed the House that the National Wheat Policy 2026-30 had been prepared in consultation with the provinces and would be presented for cabinet approval before the announcement of the federal budget.
According to the ministry’s written reply, an Interim National Wheat Policy 2025-26 has already been implemented, marking a shift from a state-controlled wheat management system towards a public-private partnership (PPP) model while retaining a guaranteed indicative support price of Rs3,500 per 40 kilograms.
The ministry stated that the interim policy removes inter-provincial restrictions on wheat movement, establishes a National Wheat Monitoring Committee, and provides for federal procurement to maintain strategic wheat reserves.
The parliamentary secretary said the government’s action plan for the upcoming fiscal year focuses on agricultural modernisation through Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) projects and implementation of a comprehensive mechanisation roadmap for the agriculture sector.
She further informed the House that the government was establishing the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA) to improve food safety standards and enhance agricultural exports.
The parliamentary secretary also said the National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority had been established to strengthen and modernise the seed sector through improved regulation and promotion of high-yield and climate-resilient crop varieties. According to the ministry, the new authority is expected to support agricultural productivity and help farmers adapt to changing climatic conditions through access to better-quality seeds and modern agricultural practices.
