Pakistan Railways’ safety record: A timeline of major accidents since 2021

At least four people were killed and 49 injured when all 14 coaches of the Peshawar-bound Rehman Baba Express derailed near Sher Shah Railway Station in Multan on Tuesday, renewing questions about the safety of Pakistan’s ageing railway network.

Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi has appointed the Federal Government Inspector of Railways (FGIR) to determine the cause of the incident.

The derailment followed years marked by fatal collisions, fires, track-related derailments, mechanical failures and attacks on railway infrastructure. Some incidents killed dozens of people, while others caused injuries or disrupted operations without fatalities.

The strongest comparable evidence of a rise in major accidents comes from the Ministry of Railways’ reply to the National Assembly. It recorded 448 railway accidents between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2025, of which 164 were classified as major.

Major and notable incidents since 2021

2021: Karachi Express derailment and Ghotki collision

March 6-7 — Karachi Express, near Rohri

Nine coaches of the Lahore-bound Karachi Express derailed between Mando Dero and Sanghi railway stations late on March 6 or in the early hours of March 7. The accident killed one passenger and injured 30 others.

June 7 — Millat Express and Sir Syed Express, near Daharki, Ghotki

The Karachi-bound Millat Express derailed between Raiti and Daharki railway stations, causing several coaches to fall across the adjacent track. The coaches were then struck by the Rawalpindi-bound Sir Syed Express, resulting in one of Pakistan’s deadliest train accidents in recent years. At least 67 people were killed and scores injured.

An initial inquiry identified a broken rail-welding joint, while a subsequent inquiry pointed to poor maintenance of the track joint. More than 20 officials were reportedly held responsible.

2022: Rehman Baba Express derails near Meting

May 13–14 — Rehman Baba Express, near Meting Railway Station

The Peshawar-to-Karachi train derailed, sending its locomotive and four coaches off the tracks and injuring about 10 passengers. Pakistan Railways formed a three-member inquiry committee, while an initial assessment pointed to improper setting of the track under the route-relay interlocking system.

2023: Hazara Express derailment, Karachi Express fire and collision at Qila Sattar Shah

January 20 — Jaffar Express, between Machh and Sibi, Bolan, Balochistan

A bomb blast on the track derailed the engine and seven coaches of the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express travelling between Machh and Sibi, injuring at least 18 passengers.

February 16 — Jaffar Express, near Chichawatni

An explosion inside a coach of the Jaffar Express near Chichawatni killed a woman and injured at least four other passengers. Railway officials initially attributed the incident to a gas-cylinder explosion, prompting an investigation. The reports reviewed here do not establish a conclusive final finding.

April 27 — Karachi Express, near Tando Masti Khan in Khairpur

A coach of the Lahore-bound Karachi Express near Tando Masti Khan caught fire in the early hours of the morning, killing seven people, including four children.

August 6 — Hazara Express, near Sarhari Railway Station in Sanghar

Ten coaches of the Havelian-bound Hazara Express near Sarhari Railway Station derailed, killing at least 30 people and injuring more than 90. A preliminary departmental investigation identified a broken rail and missing fishplates, leading to the suspension of six railway officials.

September 24 — Mianwali Express and a freight train at Qila Sattar Shah, Sheikhupura

The Mianwali Express at Qila Sattar Shah collided with a freight train parked on a loop line, injuring at least 31 people. A preliminary inquiry pointed to human error and communication failures involving operating staff.

2024: Derailments in Karachi, Rohri and elsewhere

January 15 — Shalimar Express, near Badal Nala, Bin Qasim, Karachi

Four coaches of the Karachi-to-Lahore Shalimar Express near Badal Nala derailed, although no passenger deaths or injuries were reported. Both the up and down tracks were temporarily closed, disrupting rail traffic and delaying other services.

April 7 — Rehman Baba Express, near Faisalabad

The Rehman Baba Express near Faisalabad collided with a tractor-trolley, damaging the locomotive and injuring the driver and assistant driver. Passengers were reported safe.

September — Sir Syed Express, near Rohri Railway Station.

Three coaches of the Karachi-to-Rawalpindi Sir Syed Express near Rohri Railway Station derailed about 1.5 kilometres from the station. No casualties were reported, but the incident disrupted rail operations.

December 16 — Rehman Baba Express, at Drigh Road Station, Karachi

Three coaches of the Rehman Baba Express at Drigh Road Station derailed, with railway officials attributing the incident to a broken coupler. No passenger injuries were reported, although several services were delayed.

2025: Major derailments and attacks on Jaffar Express

January 31 — Shalimar Express, near Shahdara, Lahore

Three coaches of the Karachi-bound Shalimar Express near Shahdara derailed. No casualties were reported, while initial reports pointed to a broken or damaged wooden track component.

May 21 — Shalimar Express, between Sahianwala and Darul Hassan stations

The Lahore-bound Shalimar Express between Sahianwala and Darul Hassan stations struck a brick-laden tractor-trolley at an unmanned level crossing, causing all 15 coaches, the brake van and the locomotive to derail. Six passengers were injured, and rail traffic was disrupted for more than 18 hours.

June 11 — Freight train and Pakistan Express, near Hyderabad Junction

Three wagons of a freight train near Hyderabad Junction derailed in the morning, damaging track and platform infrastructure. Later, a coach of the Karachi-to-Rawalpindi Pakistan Express near Hyderabad Junction also derailed. No passenger fatalities were reported in the latter incident, but rail operations were disrupted.

June 18 — Jaffar Express, near Jacobabad

A remote-controlled explosive device planted on the track derailed four coaches of the Jaffar Express near Jacobabad. No injuries were reported in the cited account.

June 21 — Awam Express and Musa Pak Express, between Khanewal and Mian Channu

At least 27 passengers were reported injured in a track-related incident involving the Awam Express and Musa Pak Express between Khanewal and Mian Channu. Pakistan Railways ordered an inquiry, but a final public report was not made available.

August 1 — Islamabad Express, near Kala Shah Kaku, Punjab

Several coaches of the Islamabad Express near Kala Shah Kaku derailed, injuring at least 27 people in initial reports. The railways minister ordered an investigation and said the report would be submitted within seven days, but the final findings were not made public.

August 10 — Jaffar Express, near Spezand, Mastung district

A blast on the track derailed six coaches of the Jaffar Express near Spezand. No casualties were initially reported, but the attack damaged the railway line and disrupted services.

August 17 — Awam Express, near Lodhran Junction

Several coaches of the Awam Express near Lodhran Junction derailed, some of them overturning, killing one passenger and injuring more than 20 others. The railways minister ordered an inquiry and sought a report within seven days, but the final findings were not made public.

September 11 — Two freight trains, between Habibabad and Renala Khurd, Punjab

Wagons of a Karachi-bound goods train between Habibabad and Renala Khurd became detached and stopped on the track, after which a second freight train collided with them. The assistant driver of the second train was killed and its driver injured. An initial inquiry held the station master, a guard and the second train’s driver responsible for different failures.

September 22 — Freight train, near Meting, Sindh

A freight train travelling from Karachi to Yusufwala derailed near Meting Railway Station, disrupting rail operations.

September 24 — Fareed Express, at Kotri Junction

The Lahore-to-Karachi Fareed Express at Kotri Junction derailed while entering platform two. No passenger injuries were reported.

September 23–24 — Jaffar Express, near Spezand, Mastung district

 A bomb blast derailed six coaches of the Jaffar Express near Spezand, overturning one and injuring 12 people. The explosion also damaged the track and a railway bridge, disrupting train services between Quetta and the rest of the country for several days. An initial investigation found that explosives had been planted on the track.

October 7 — Jaffar Express, near Sultan Kot, Shikarpur district

 A blast on the track derailed four coaches of the Jaffar Express near Sultan Kot, injuring at least seven people.

2026: Hijacking, derailments and recurring safety concerns

January 26–27 — Jaffar Express, between Sultan Kot and Jacobabad

A blast on the track derailed four coaches of the Jaffar Express between Sultan Kot and Jacobabad. No casualties were reported.

March 11–12 — Jaffar Express, near Mashkaf Tunnel, Bolan district

Militants attacked the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express near Mashkaf Tunnel, which was carrying about 440 passengers, blew up the track, opened fire and took passengers hostage. A rescue operation continued into the following day. The military said 21 passengers had been killed by the attackers and 33 attackers were killed during the operation.

March 16 — Shalimar Express, at Lakha Road

The Shalimar Express at Lakha Road collided with a stationary freight train, killing one person and injuring 13 to 14 others, according to different reports. A subsequent inquiry attributed the accident to human error and technical failures, holding six employees responsible.

March 24–25 — Tezgam Express, near Lodhran

Seven coaches of the Tezgam Express near Lodhran derailed, five of them overturning, and 26 passengers were reported injured. A subsequent inquiry cited human error and technical failures, prompting departmental action against three employees.

By April — Multiple incidents across the railway network. The Express Tribune reported more than 20 railway accidents since January 1, including a coupling failure involving the Karakoram Express near Khanewal, damage involving the Green Line near Wazirabad, and derailments affecting freight and passenger services.

July 20 — Freight train, near Tando Adam, Sindh

More than a dozen bogies of a coal freight train derailed near Tando Adam, blocking both main-line tracks and stranding passengers for hours. No casualties were reported.

July–August — Multiple derailments involving passenger and freight trains. Reported incidents included the Shalimar Express near Khanewal on July 5, a Bulleh Shah Passenger coach in Lahore on July 20, four coaches of the Hazara Express near Karachi Cantt on July 22, and a Tezgam Express derailment between Hyderabad and Kotri on July 28. Further incidents in August involved the Hazara Express, Bulleh Shah Passenger and a coal train near Firoza.

September 1 — Khyber Mail, near Taxila

One bogie of the Khyber Mail near Taxila derailed while the train was crossing a bridge. No injuries were reported, and an inquiry was ordered.

October 1–2 — Shalimar Express, Pakistan Express and Jaffar Express

Two passenger trains suffered derailments or related incidents, while a power van of the Jaffar Express near Gujar Khan also derailed. Passengers escaped major harm. Pakistan Railways’ chief executive attributed the spate of incidents to deferred maintenance.

October 4–5 — Jinnah Peoples Train, near Kuchlak, Balochistan

The engine of the Jinnah Peoples Train near Kuchlak derailed during shunting. No casualties were reported. Railway officials cited a possibly missing fishplate, while police attributed the incident to poor track conditions. An inquiry was ordered.

October 13 — Rehman Baba Express, near Sher Shah Railway Station, Multan

All 14 coaches of the Peshawar-bound Rehman Baba Express near Sher Shah Railway Station derailed, killing at least four people and injuring 49. Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi appointed the Federal Government Inspector of Railways to determine the cause of the accident.

What recurring causes emerge?

Broken rail joints, missing fishplates, damaged track components and poor alignment have featured in inquiries into serious accidents. Railway officials have also cited deferred maintenance to explain later incidents.

Mechanical defects and braking

Broken couplers, locomotive and wheel concerns, and suspected braking problems have recurred in reports of derailments and other railway incidents.

Deferred maintenance and resource constraints

Railway officials have cited ageing infrastructure and deferred maintenance as persistent challenges affecting the safety and reliability of the network.