Pakistan suspends rail traffic after freight train derailment in Sindh

A freight train carrying coal derailed near Wahab Shah railway station in Matiari district, Sindh, causing the derailment of 17 wagons. Pakistan Railways suspended services on both up and down tracks, announcing that the line could remain closed for up to 24 hours.

Several passenger trains were halted, including the Karakoram Express at Hyderabad, the Allama Iqbal Express at Kotri, the Pakistan Express at Landhi, the Tezgam Express at Drigh Road, and the Millat and Fareed Expresses at Cantt. No initial casualties were reported. Rescue and engineering teams were dispatched, and relief trains from Rohri and Kotri were sent to the site. Railway officials said the track was affected over a considerable portion and restoration would take time. The incident occurs against a backdrop of chronic financial constraints, staff shortages, and operational inefficiencies within Pakistan Railways, raising concerns about safety and service reliability.