Pakistan Railways runs freight trains with dilapidated coaches

A joint certification report revealed that about half of Pakistan Railways' freight trains are being operated with severely deteriorated coaches that are unsafe for track use. The rail system lacks essential spare parts such as loco‑motive spare parts and power vans, forcing the use of these unfit coaches for transporting high‑value goods. Drivers and passenger‑train operators have repeatedly refused to run the trains, but pressure from railway officials has compelled them to continue operations. In the past two months more than 15 minor accidents have been recorded, attributed to the poor condition of both tracks and coaches. Federal Railways Minister Hanif Abbas has ordered the workshop to produce new passenger and freight coaches, yet successive workshop heads have failed to meet the target, leaving the fleet in a critical state.