LAHORE, November 12 2024: A recent expose has uncovered serious security lapses within Pakistan Railways, putting the lives and safety of millions of passengers at risk. Security cameras, baggage scanners, and other crucial equipment, valued in the millions of rupees, are either outdated, broken, or non-functional, leaving railway stations across the country vulnerable to criminal activity and accidents.
Multiple sources have revealed that the majority of security systems installed at railway stations, particularly the surveillance cameras and baggage scanners, have been out of order for extended periods. This failure to maintain equipment leaves passengers exposed to serious security risks, as there are no systems in place to properly check luggage or locate missing items. Worse, the malfunctioning scanners allow for an increased chance of smuggling illicit substances, including drugs, posing an additional security threat.
Lahore Railway Station in Crisis
At Lahore Railway Station, one of the busiest in Pakistan, the situation is dire. Only a handful of police officers are stationed at the facility, but they are unable to conduct proper baggage checks due to the overwhelming number of passengers. Of the 46 cameras that were installed at the station, a shocking 36 are no longer operational, effectively rendering the station blind to potential threats. The railway administration has not acted on replacing these cameras for over two years, severely hampering the efforts of the railway police to ensure the safety of passengers.
Despite the gravity of the situation, the railway authorities seem indifferent. A tender for replacing the outdated security cameras was issued, but the Ministry of Railways inexplicably cancelled it, opting instead for a new tender. This delay in replacing the malfunctioning equipment has left security operations in disarray, with the police unable to monitor key areas or prevent crime effectively.
A National Issue
This is not an isolated issue. A disturbing 90% of the scanners at major railway stations across Pakistan, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Karachi, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, and Rohri, are reported to be non-functional. The railway police are consistently understaffed and forced to work extended shifts. Despite repeated requests for modern equipment and additional resources, these pleas have gone unanswered by the administration.
The number of passengers travelling by train has risen sharply over the past five years, with approximately 204.5 million passengers relying on Pakistan Railways for transportation. However, the administration’s failure to upgrade infrastructure and security systems has left passengers vulnerable, creating a recipe for disaster.
Corruption Allegations and Mismanagement
While the railway administration claims that the faulty cameras are in the process of being replaced, sources within Pakistan Railways suggest widespread corruption. Allegations have surfaced that the Lahore Railway Station has not had functional cameras for two years due to a lack of funding, while millions of rupees have been spent on luxuries for officials, including the construction of a swimming pool at the railway officers’ colony. These claims highlight a severe misallocation of resources, where the safety of the public seems to be secondary to the comforts of the few in power.
Conclusion: A Call for Urgent Action
As Pakistan Railways continues to struggle with outdated equipment, inadequate staffing, and mismanagement, the safety and security of passengers remain at risk. With billions of rupees allocated for railway projects, the Ministry of Railways must reassess its priorities, ensuring that security infrastructure is modernized, staffed adequately, and maintained regularly. The nation’s transport system is in dire need of reform, and the clock is ticking for the government to take action before an untoward incident occurs that could have been easily prevented with proper planning and investment.
Until then, Pakistan Railways will continue to operate with a compromised security framework, leaving its passengers at the mercy of faulty equipment and an indifferent administration.
