By Nadeem Tanoli
ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Railways has raised serious questions over missing legal records, a reported decrease of 555 cases in a list submitted to the committee and Pakistan Railways’ failure to provide details of theft, misappropriation and embezzlement cases.
The committee, chaired by Senator Shahadat Awan at the Old PIPS Hall in Parliament Lodges, Islamabad, warned that action could be taken against the officials responsible if the required information was not submitted.
During the meeting, the chairman questioned the performance of the Railways legal department and sought a clear record of pending court cases, including matters before the Supreme Court. Referring to an earlier briefing, he said the latest list showed a decrease of 555 cases and asked the Ministry to explain the difference.
Senator Awan stressed that every case must be properly recorded and pursued instead of being left unattended. He also noted that the committee had previously sought details of theft, misappropriation and embezzlement cases, but the Ministry had failed to provide information about the registration of first information reports, or FIRs.
Senator Kamil Ali Agha called for complete and updated information about all pending cases. He directed the Ministry to submit a detailed breakdown showing how many cases were pending in each court, their present status and the latest progress in each matter.
The chairman said Pakistan Railways needed a proper system to track court cases and monitor the work of its lawyers. He suggested appointing a designated officer to keep records updated and regularly report progress to the Ministry and the committee.
He criticised the incomplete working papers submitted to the committee, saying such lapses pointed to possible inefficiency or a lack of proper checking. He added that the committee had repeatedly asked for information about cases, including those pending before the Supreme Court, but had still not received the required details.
Senator Awan warned that appropriate action would follow against the officials concerned if they failed to provide the requested records.
The committee also questioned the procedure for hiring legal advisers and paying special fees. The chairman observed that the department already had a panel of around 325 lawyers dealing with civil cases and said the hiring of additional lawyers required clear reasons and a transparent process.
He also sought details about the total number of prosecuting inspectors working across the country.
Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi told the committee that the department had made serious efforts to deal with illegal occupation of railway land. He also acknowledged the support and guidance provided by the standing committee in improving the department’s performance.
However, the committee raised concerns over complaints involving the activities of Railways police in Sukkur and Larkana. The chairman referred to concerns raised by Sukkur Mayor Barrister Arslan Sheikh and Larkana MPA Jamil Ahmad Somro, who said railway police were disturbing people living in Kacchi Abadi areas and on provincial land that did not belong to Pakistan Railways.
Senator Awan stressed that railway land must be clearly marked before action was taken against people accused of illegal occupation. He said proper demarcation was necessary to prevent action against residents living on provincial land and to avoid unnecessary legal disputes between the provincial and federal governments.
He said the railway minister and chairman could contact the Sukkur mayor and the Larkana MPA, if needed, to resolve the issue. He also emphasised that the Ministry must act strictly within the law.
The committee reviewed the Ministry’s compliance with recommendations made at its previous meeting on October 6, 2026. It also received a briefing on the existing travel concession facility available to journalists through Pakistan Railways.
The committee expected journalists to receive all facilities provided under the existing policy.
At the end of the meeting, the chairman raised an additional matter concerning the Gadani Bridge in Sukkur. He directed the Ministry to assist the municipal government in the construction of the bridge and issue a no objection certificate, or NOC, if required.
