The Pakistan Railways’ administration has taken action following the tragic derailment of the Hazara Express near Nawabshah, which resulted in at least 30 fatalities and numerous injuries.
The Railways Ministry suspended six officials, including two 18-grade officers, in connection with the accident that occurred in Sindh last week and a notification was issued in this regard earlier in the day.
Ten bogies of the Havelian-bound Hazara Express were overturned near Sarhari Railway Station.
Initially, Pakistan Railways officials attributed the derailment to the breakage of the railway line and a hot axle, which hindered the movement of the train.
However, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique had suggested that sabotage could not be ruled out as a potential cause, along with mechanical faults.
In response to the derailment, a six-member team was formed to conduct an investigation into the crash.
According to a notification of the Railways Ministry, six officials had been suspended with immediate effect and until further orders, in accordance with Rule-5 of Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020.
The decision to suspend these officials was approved by the Railways chairman.
The suspension came after a departmental probe into the crash, which found that missing fishplates and a damaged track were responsible for the Hazara Express derailment. The team also identified skidding of the train’s locomotive as another contributing factor to the accident.
Furthermore, the report revealed that the train engine had left the site without examination by senior subordinates, and there were signs of “little hitting spots” on the iron fishplates and wooden terminal beyond the accident point.
As a result, both the engineering branch and mechanical branch were held responsible for the accident.
The investigation did not dismiss the possibility of sabotage, as the derailed coaches were dragged to a distance of 750 feet. The report included two dissenting notes, suggesting varying perspectives on the findings.
