Karachi [Pakistan], August 3 (ANI): An economy-class coach of the newly refurbished Pak Business Express train derailed on Saturday at the Karachi Cantt Railway Station yard, delaying its scheduled departure to Lahore by over an hour and a half, Dawn reported.
The incident came just hours after Pakistan Railways successfully restored the Lahore-Rawalpindi track near Muridke, where a major rescue and repair operation had been underway following a separate derailment on Friday. In that earlier incident, at least 29 passengers were injured when the Islamabad Express derailed near Kala Shah Kaku in Punjab’s Sheikhupura district. According to Dawn, Punjab Rescue 1122 reported that five bogies derailed near a chemical plant, with emergency teams responding quickly after distress calls were received around 7:32 p.m.
The Karachi derailment, although unrelated, added to the mounting challenges for Pakistan Railways. A PR Karachi Division official confirmed that the derailment of the 33-Up train caused the delay, noting that the affected coach was empty at the time.
The Pak Business Express, featuring newly upgraded coaches, was recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Lahore Railway Station, highlighting efforts to modernize the country’s rail services.
Meanwhile, rescue and repair operations between Kala Shah Kaku and Muridke were completed, allowing the resumption of train services between Lahore and Rawalpindi. “Our teams worked through the night and into Saturday to complete the repairs, after which rail traffic was restored,” Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi told Dawn. “We appreciate the support from local administrations in the rescue and relief efforts. Currently, no passengers remain hospitalized.”
A preliminary inspection into the Islamabad Express derailment attributed the cause to “fresh rail breakage.” In response, the Ministry of Railways appointed Federal Government Inspector of Railways (FGIR) Aamir Nisar Chaudhry to conduct an inquiry from August 4 to 6 at the PR Divisional Headquarters in Lahore. The final report is expected to be submitted within seven days, Dawn reported.
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