Despite directives by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, the Railways Ministry has failed to adopt a security plan to ward off any terrorist threat. More than 7,000km long railway tracks in most places are still unguarded and, thus, present an easy target for saboteurs to inflict large-scale destruction.
Attacks and bomb explosions have sent repeated warnings to the federal government to guard the country's lines of communications more closely.
The latest act of sabotage took place near Domeli in which nearly 40 people died mainly because of lethargic approach of the railway authorities and lack of security measures.
Taking strong exception to the negligence of railway authorities, Shaukat had asked them to improve their working and provide safe, secure and comfortable facilities to the travellers.
The prime minister had ordered round-the-clock patrolling of rail tracks by security personnel to ensure safety of trains, besides establishing security posts at tracks on priority basis.
However, the railway authorities are still unmoved and the lives of passengers are still at risk.
The task before Pakistan Railways is obvious and it should intensify its efforts to guard and patrol more vulnerable sections of the track, especially in some parts of Sindh and Balochistan.
Sources in the Pakistan Railways told Business Recorder on Thursday that the authorities were working on using pilot trolleys for preventing possible sabotage attempts. However, it is learnt that the ministry was facing financial constraints in materialising the plan.
A few days ago, Minister of State for Railways Ishaq Khan Khakwani had informed the Lower House of the Parliament that the government was deploying nearly 20,000 armed personnel to safeguard railway tracks. But it is learnt that the commitment has still not been fulfilled.
On the other hand, Pakistan Railways was also chalking out a 'comprehensive' plan of action to improve its communication system and to minimise human errors leading to accidents.
A special inspection team is being formed to carry out surprise visits of all security-related installations, including tracks, stations, signalling system, locomotives and coaches/wagons maintenance depots.
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