Islamabad, August 24, 2026: The Senate Standing Committee on Railways on Monday reviewed key operational, financial and administrative matters concerning Pakistan Railways and directed the Ministry to accelerate action on pending inquiries, reassess commercial rents, intensify anti-encroachment operations and expedite major infrastructure projects.
The meeting, chaired by Senator Shahadat Awan at Parliament House, also welcomed newly inducted committee member Senator Bushra Anjum Butt.
The committee reviewed the compliance status of recommendations made during its meetings on February 25 and May 11, 2026, with particular focus on the management of railway land and commercial assets.
During a briefing on 53 petrol pumps operating on railway property, officials informed the committee that the leasing process was being conducted in accordance with Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules and prescribed procedures. They said the rental rate had been increased from 8 percent to 10 percent following a policy revision in 2023.
The committee, however, directed the authorities to ensure that the overall rental policy was strictly aligned with the law and that commercial rents were reassessed and fixed accordingly.
The committee also expressed serious concern over pending inquiries with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) dating back to 2021.
It directed the Ministry and Pakistan Railways to conduct departmental inquiries, determine responsibility, identify officials named in inquiry reports and keep the committee regularly informed about progress.
On the issue of high-speed diesel (HSD) theft, railway officials told the committee that the problem had been brought down to zero after the fuel supply system was changed and fuel was now injected directly into train engines.
The committee also expressed displeasure over incomplete and allegedly misleading feedback submitted between July 21, 2025, and July 26, 2026. Referring to instances of embezzlement and inaccurate reporting, it ordered a 15-day investigation into the officers responsible for submitting misleading reports.
The issue of encroachments on railway land also came under detailed discussion. The committee appreciated the retrieval of 376 acres of railway land from illegal occupation against a target involving more than 13,000 acres.
It nevertheless directed the chairman and the Ministry of Railways to accelerate anti-encroachment operations and submit a comprehensive progress report within two months.
The committee also examined the long-pending compensation issue involving affectees under Case No. 1/2018 and expressed displeasure over delays in resolving the matter in coordination with the Finance Division.
The authorities were directed to formulate concrete and legally sound solutions in accordance with court orders and ensure fair and timely compensation to all affected parties.
Agenda Items II and III were subsequently disposed of after the committee expressed satisfaction with the initial responses and commitments given by the Ministry.
The Minister for Railways assured the committee that transparency would be maintained in all future operations and categorically stated that neither the department nor any individual would be allowed to lease even a single foot of railway land arbitrarily.
He said every transaction involving railway property would be conducted strictly in accordance with the law and applicable procedures.
The committee also reviewed major railway modernisation and infrastructure projects, including the proposed revamping of historic railway tracks that are around 200 years old and the Main Line-2 (ML-2) project.
Officials briefed the committee that the ML-2 project would cover 1,254 kilometres under a public-private partnership (PPP) framework, with proposed routes connecting Kotri with Dadu, Dadu with Larkana, and Hyderabad with Mirpurkhas.
The committee urged the Ministry to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sindh government at the earliest to facilitate progress on the project.
Emphasising the importance of preserving Pakistan’s railway heritage, the committee directed the Minister for Railways to personally visit and inspect the historic Dadu Railway Station.
The station, built in 1890, has a platform stretching around one kilometre and requires urgent attention to prevent further deterioration, the committee observed.
The committee also directed the Ministry to prioritise the restoration of railway bridges severely damaged by recent heavy rainfall and flooding across the railway network.
The meeting was attended by Senators Dost Ali Jeesa and Bushra Anjum Butt, the Minister for Railways and senior officials from the relevant departments.
