Nisar Memon assumes charge of DS Karachi Division

• The transfers and postings were made after two weeks of Liaqatpur train inferno that left over 70 people dead and some 40 others injured.
• Federal Inspector of Railways is conducting thorough inquiry to ascertain the fact behind the train inferno.
• Earlier, DS PR Karachi Division Syed Mazhar Ali Shah was transferred and posted as Secretary Railways Board Islamabad

KARACHI: Nisar Memon has assumed the charge of Divisional Superintendent (DS) Karachi on Tuesday.

This is in pursuance of the notification issued by the Ministry of Railways apropos transfer and posting of three BS 20 officers that entailed Karachi Division also.

In his meeting with the officers of Karachi Division Nisar directed them for maintaining strict punctuality of the passenger trains going Up from Karachi.

"All the officers are required to utilise their full potential and give their 100 percent while discharging their official duties" urged Memon who also had served on similar position from 2014 to 2017.

A few days earlier, DS PR Karachi Division, Syed Mazhar Ali Shah was transferred and posted as Secretary Railways Board Islamabad, whereas Nisar Memon was asked to work as DS Karachi Division, with an immediate effect till further orders.

The transfers and postings were made after two weeks of Liaqatpur train inferno that left over 70 people dead and some 40 others injured.

A notification released from the Railways Ministry said “Syed Mazhar Ali Shah, a BS-20 officer of Railways (Commercial & Transportation) presently working as Divisional Superintendent (BS-20), Pakistan Railways, Karachi, is transferred and posted as Secretary Railway Board (BS-21), Ministry of Railways, Railway Board, Islamabad, in his own pay & scale vice vacancy.

Nisar Memon, a BS-20 officer of Civil Engineering Department, presently working as Chief Engineer Open Line (BS-20), Pakistan Railways, Headquarters Office, Lahore, is transferred and posted as Divisional Superintendent (BS-20) Pakistan Railways, Karachi.

Mir Muhammad Daudpota, a BS-20 officer of Civil Engineering Department, presently posted as Project Director Construction of Coal Loading station between BQM-PQM Project/Karachi, is transferred and Posted as Chief Engineer Open Line (BS-20), Pakistan Railways, Headquarters Office, Lahore."

It is relevant to mention here that in the light of initial inquiry by Railways, a half dozen officials posted in commercial transportation group and railways police of Karachi and Sukkur divisions were suspended for their alleged negligence in fulfilling responsibilities, resulting in Liaquatpur train incident.

The suspended officials include the Divisional Commercial Officer (DCO) of Karachi division Junaid Aslam a BPS-18 officer who had recently assumed the charge of DCO, Assistant Commercial Officer Sukkur Division Abid Qamar Sheikh, a BPS-17 officer, who was currently working on the post of Divisional Commercial Officer, Assistant Commercial Officer Sukkur division Rashid Ali, Commercial Officer-3 Karachi division Ahsanul Haq, Deputy Superintendent-B Railways police Sukkur division Dilawar Memon BPS-17, and Deputy Superintendent-B Karachi Railways police Habullah Khatak.

Federal Inspector of Railways is conducting thorough inquiry to ascertain the fact behind the train inferno; however, the initial findings of railways had suggested that a gas cylinder carried by passengers reportedly exploded near Rahim Yar Khan that engulfed three bogies of the train and leaving over 70 passengers dead.