Better transport system and infrastructure serves as the backbone for the development of a country. Whether it’s the system of transport of goods or that of public transport the system of imports and exports and trade within the country largely depends upon it. Karachi serves as the commercial capital of the country and no one can deny this fact. And that is the reason that people from all over the country come to the city in search of exploring employment opportunities.
The expanding industrial base in the city has given the unemployed hope. People from all over the country throng the city in search of employment. Similarly, the city funnels products all over the country through the system of transport.
Majority of the residents in the city are outsiders belonging to the province of Punjab, NWFP and interior Sindh. That is the reason that most of the people from the city return to or leave for their hometowns or colder places during the summers and on special occasions like religious festivals. During these periods special trains are also launched.
In spite of this Pakistan Railways has failed to fulfill the needs of the passengers. Those who are denied an opportunity to ply through trains are virtually ‘looted’ by the bus mafia. They extort fares of there own choice. Traveling through buses is extremely difficult for families, especially long distance. Incidents of looting and traffic accidents are the norm of the day on the Pakistani highways.
Former railways minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed launched many non-stop trains. He was seen inaugurating the launching of a new train each month. But the reality was completely different from this. Launching one train with different names doesn’t help dupe masses.
After the death of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Benazir Bhutto, the rampant violence forced Pakistan Railways to close 10 of its passenger trains. This has given the bus mafia yet another opportunity to extort high fares from the citizens of Karachi.
Some days back the caretaker federal minister for railways admitted that the system of Pakistan railways in Sindh has totally been destroyed. The violence after the death of Benazir Bhutto damaged railway engines and stations and the bogies. The Pakistan Railways signal system in the province was also badly damaged during the wave of violence. That is the reason that till today the trains shuttling between Karachi and Rohri are required to stop at every station and acquire clearance. That is the reason that trains now take 14 long hours instead of the previous traveling time of 8 hours.
Pakistan Railways has experienced many incidents that have cost countless lives. If we look at the statistics majority of the accidents have taken place in the limits of the Pakistan Railways Sukkur Division.
The three days of violence after the brutal killing of former prime minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi completely disrupted the system of transport in the country and particularly in the province of Sindh. Be it public transport, railways or air traffic all means of transportation were disrupted.
The violence cost Pakistan Railways a mammoth more than Rs10 billion. According to the statistics collected by Pulse some 25 accidents have occurred with the trains of Pakistan Railways. The biggest accident occurred on January 3, 1990 at Sanghi in which a collision between Bahauddin Zakria Express and a cargo train left more than 300 passengers dead and almost 500 injured. The second biggest accident in the history of Pakistan Railways happened on July 13, 2005 near Gotkhi between Karachi Express, Quetta Express and Taeez Gaam that was termed a result of terrorist activity. The incident claimed 300 lives and left more than one thousand injured.
The incident on January 8, 1991 claimed 55 lives and left more than 100 injured.
In passenger train accident near Champeer five persons were killed and twelve others were injured. The Super Express accident on August 29, 1991 left six killed and around 100 injured. In November 1, 1992 a train accident near Raitee left 19 killed and 100 injured.
Similarly on January 21, 1994 10 persons were killed in an accident near Gujar Khan. In an accident near Khanewal more than 200 persons were killed and 300 others sustained injuries. On December 24, 1997 accident to Rohi Express near Shorkot left 38 killed and 140 injured.
Similarly on May 5, 2004 an accident to Taeezro near Tando Adam left 14 passengers killed and more than 100 injured. Similarly on March 5, 2005 an accident to the passenger train near Narowal left 5 killed. Karachi Express met an accident at Mehrabpur which left more than 100 dead on December 19, 2005.
Violence that spread after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto saw some 26 trains and 30 engines of the Pakistan Railways burnt. The microwave towers between Sukkur and Karachi were also damaged that badly destroyed the railways communication system. After the murder of Benazir Bhutto miscreants torched 190 bogies, 4 trains, 3 track machines and 30 railway engines out of which 23 were completely destroyed whereas 7 of the engines are repairable.
Miscreants also torched Shah Latif Express and Tando Jam railway station; Tando Adam railway station, Gambat railway station and Jamshoro railway station.
The violence destroyed Pakistan Express, Awam Express, Khushal Khan Khattak Express, Sindh Express, Shah Latif Express, Bhamboor Express and Taeezgam Express.
People due to the problem with the railways are forced to ply through buses that are over charging them. Karachi to Lahore fare has been set at Rs1,200 and Karachi to Rawalpindi at Rs1,600-1,800. This is unaffordable for the poor.
Whereas the railways fares are much less for Karachi to Lahore (Economy class) it is Rs600 and AC class Rs1,200-1400.
