Senate panel calls for accountability, reforms in railways ministry

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ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Railways has called for accountability and reforms in the Railway Ministry in light of corruption, infrastructure challenges and poor performance.

The committee chaired by Senator Jam Saifullah was organized to review the questions raised by Senator Shahadat Aun about financial losses, corruption cases and railway accidents in the Parliament House on Monday. The committee reviewed the status of important railway infrastructure projects, especially under the framework of China Pakistan Economic Transit (CPEC). The ministry informed the committee that in the last five years, a total of 3,230 FIRs have been registered, which are related to theft, embezzlement and misuse of powers. Out of Rs 212.883 million, Rs 109.487 million has been recovered in the loss of property.

However, Senator Owen expressed dissatisfaction with the ministry’s failure to disclose the long -standing progress. He called for details regarding reopening and non -resolution issues and emphasized the need for full cooperation from law enforcement agencies. He criticized the ministry for repeatedly submitting data from the committee to the wrong and delayed data, calling it a violation of privilege and non -compliance with the direction of Parliament. He noted that despite referring to the three reminders and privileges committee, the ministry has not yet provided full and accurate information. He said that although more than 3,200 FIRs have been registered, and despite repeated assurances recently, the pledge to distribute the revised data within 15 days of accurate data is yet to be presented. He called on the ministry to make the committee accountable to misleading officials and failed to meet the deadline for reporting.

Jam Saifullah expressed concern over the ministry’s comfortable behavior about the committee’s instructions. He noted that providing false or incomplete information not only hinders supervision but also raised questions about internal accountability procedures. He directed the ministry to identify and take action against the officials responsible for false information and emphasized the need for transparency and proper aid, especially where public funds were included.

The Chairman directed that the Ministry should present comprehensive details of all FIRs, including pending investigations, convicted places, and recovery efforts before the next meeting. He emphasized that the implementation of judicial decisions and audit results should be actively shared with the track and the committee.

The ministry acknowledged the previous contradictions in the data, which led to the confusion between the calendar and the financial years, but it is said that the statistics have now been reconciled. According to the ministry, 1,555 people have been convicted, 309 bad and 1,080 cases are under trial.

The committee also reviewed the Karachi-Roori section of the ML-1 Railway Line, which the ministry identified as a major barrier to the national rail network. The Railway Secretary informed the committee that alternative powers for financing with development partners were being sought.

Saifullah emphasized the need to find a public private partnership and emphasized that immediate investment was needed to maintain actions. The ministry assured the committee that financing powers beyond the CPEC were actively pursuing. Saifullah also raised concerns about railway land encroachments, especially in Karachi, where occupied land is worth billions. He called for a transparent method to retrieve and earn a low -use, high -value assets, noting that it could help fund the infrastructure projects.

He noted that corruption complaints, especially about commercial land holdings, have emerged. He directed the ministry to present a clear and viable land management and recovery policy.

The committee discussed the old state of railway infrastructure and shortage of train services in areas like Balochistan. Saifullah called on the ministry to prefer operational performance and ensure equal access to services in all provinces.

At the end of the meeting, the chairman announced that the committee would re -work before the end of next month. He emphasized that full compliance with the directives of the committee would be expected, including presenting all pending records, the status of disciplinary operations, and updated strategic projects.