Railway Ban on Bloggers and Filming at Stations Questioned
Nadeem Tanoli
Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Railways raised serious concerns over a government public notice restricting social media influencers, bloggers and the general public from using railway premises for advertising, filming or photography. Chairman Senator Shahadat Awan said such a restriction might violate the constitutional right to information and public access. The committee also demanded a detailed briefing on illegal encroachments on railway land in Karachi, recovery of stolen railway material, and progress on key railway infrastructure projects including ML-I, RAIN and WIM. The Senate Standing Committee on Railways held its meeting at Parliament House, chaired by Senator Shahadat Awan. Senators Dost Ali Jeesar and Nasir Mehmood Butt also attended the meeting along with senior officials of the Ministry of Railways.One of the most important issues the committee addressed was the public notice issued by the government regarding the use of railway premises by social media influencers, bloggers and the general public for advertising, filming and photography. Chairman Senator Shahadat Awan asked the ministry to provide full information about the notice.Senator Shahadat Awan observed that such restrictions could breach the right to information and access, a fundamental right protected by the Constitution of Pakistan. The matter is now important because railway stations and railway premises are public spaces, and the committee questioned whether such a broad restriction can be justified.The committee also took serious notice of illegal encroachments on railway land in Karachi. It recommended that the Ministry of Railways provide a comprehensive briefing in the next meeting on actions taken against encroachments in light of the Supreme Court’s orders.The committee specifically demanded a detailed report on the current status of settlement and shifting of encroachers from railway land in Karachi. The issue is sensitive because railway land has been under pressure from illegal occupation for years, and the Supreme Court has already issued directions on the matter.Security and asset recovery were also discussed in detail. The committee sought periodic reports on misappropriation and recovery of stolen railway material. It also asked for progress on related FIRs so that responsibility can be fixed and stolen public assets recovered.The committee reviewed the strategic progress of major railway infrastructure initiatives, including the ML-I project, the Railways Advanced Infrastructure Network, known as RAIN, and WIM. These projects are important for modernizing Pakistan Railways and improving safety, monitoring and operational efficiency.Financially, the committee appreciated the Ministry of Railways for maintaining staff reduction targets. It was also informed that outsourced luggage vans generated an additional Rs5,911.82 million during the last five years. The committee noted this as a positive step toward improving revenue through better use of railway services.The committee also recommended that the ministry brief it on leasing or renting out railway properties located near dry ports. The purpose is to make better use of underutilized railway assets and generate more revenue.The meeting was also briefed on important infrastructure work. Officials informed the committee about the approval of a Rs9,725 million project to secure 177 unmanned vulnerable level crossings in Punjab and 100 in Sindh. This project is important for public safety because unmanned railway crossings can cause deadly accidents.Long-standing lease disputes also came under discussion, including the Hyatt Regency Hotel project. The committee was informed about ongoing efforts to resolve such disputes. At the end of the meeting, the committee stressed that full transparency must be ensured in project funding and coordination with international financial institutions. The committee made it clear that major railway projects must move forward with proper financial clarity, accountability and public oversight.
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