Press Release Title: Senator Jam Saifullah Khan, Chairman Senate Standing Committee On Railways Presiding Over A Meeting Of The Committee At Parliament House, Islamabad.

Press Release Date: 16th September, 2025

The Senate Standing Committee on Railways met today under the chairmanship of Jam Saifullah Khan. The Chairman welcomed Senator Rubina Khalid, who recently joined the Committee as a member. The meeting was attended by Senators Dost Ali Jeesar, Kamil Ali Agha, Rubina Khalid, Nasir Mehmood and Shahadat Awan (Mover).   At the outset, the Committee expressed disappointment over the absence of the Minister for Railways, senior officials, and concerned departments despite assurances made in previous meetings to ensure compliance. Members noted that working papers were neither complete nor provided 72 hours in advance, as required.   Senator Shahadat Awan highlighted that details regarding FIR No. 1/2018, involving alleged corruption of billion rupees, were missing from the working papers despite repeated directions from the Committee. He termed it highly inappropriate that after 11 meetings, complete information was still not shared with the Committee. Senator Rubina Khalid and Senator Kamil Ali Agha endorsed these concerns, stressing that it was unjustified for members to travel from other cities when the Ministry failed to provide relevant data.   The Chairman reminded that the Minister had earlier assured transparent provision of information and directed that in the next meeting, the Minister, Secretary, IG, and DIG Railways must be present to brief the Committee in detail. He further instructed that all future working papers be prepared in proper agenda-wise folders, flagged, and page-numbered to maintain order.   The Committee also discussed the flood situation and was informed that while old bridges had largely withstood the impact, some sectors, including Narowal–Sialkot, were temporarily affected but had since been restored.   Senator Shahadat Awan raised the issue of restoring Budhal Express (Rohri–Jacobabad) and the Mandra–Chakwal railway line, stressing that people were forced to spend heavily on road travel due to suspension of these services. The Committee expressed dissatisfaction over the Ministry’s failure to make serious efforts for their restoration. It was noted that Mandra–Chakwal section spans 75 km and hosts cement factories, making it a commercially viable route. The Committee directed that a detailed report on restoration be presented in the next meeting.   Senator Rubina Khalid emphasized the need for improved public awareness of train services through television and social media campaigns. She also raised concerns regarding the closure of trains in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and called for uniform development of railway infrastructure across all provinces. The Chairman announced that the next Committee meeting will be held in Peshawar to specifically review railway projects and facilities in KP.   On the matter of outsourcing and public-private partnerships, Senator Rubina Khalid questioned the procedure and rationale behind adopting models not widely practiced internationally. The Committee directed the Ministry to provide a thorough briefing on outsourcing policies and practices in the next meeting.   Additionally, Senator Rubina Khalid underscored the strategic importance of the Afghan transit trade and stressed that railway access must be extended to Torkham Pass to strengthen regional connectivity.  The Committee called for a comprehensive briefing on railway gauges to evaluate which system would best connect Pakistan with neighboring countries. The Committee unanimously directed the Ministry of Railways to ensure complete, timely, and transparent compliance with its directions and to provide thorough reports on all agenda items in the next meeting.