Pakistan Railways recorded 95 train accidents between January 1 and December 20, 2025, highlighting ongoing challenges in safety, infrastructure, and security across the national railway network, according to official data obtained by Express News.
The incidents ranged from derailments and collisions to sabotage, fires, and flood-related damage, underscoring the vulnerability of the railway system. Despite improvements at some stations, large-scale modernisation of tracks, signalling systems, and safety infrastructure remained limited throughout the year.
Of the total incidents, 46 involved passenger train derailments and 43 involved freight train derailments. Other recorded events included a train fire and two accidents at level crossings, one at an unmanned crossing and another at a manned crossing.
Security concerns were particularly pronounced in Balochistan, where the Jaffar Express and railway tracks were targeted in eight separate sabotage attempts. On March 11, the Jaffar Express itself was attacked, reflecting ongoing threats to railway personnel and passengers in the region.
Several other major accidents punctuated the year. On May 21, the Shalimar Express collided with a brick-laden trolley at an unmanned level crossing near Siyanwala Darul Ihsan, derailing all 15 coaches. Nine days later, the Rehman Baba Express collided with a trolley at another unmanned crossing, while the Pakistan Express narrowly avoided disaster near Mubarakpur on June 1 when a trolley passed beneath its dining car.
June 14 proved particularly chaotic, with three separate incidents on the same day. The Khushhal Khan Khattak Express derailed six coaches near Kandhkot, the Allama Iqbal Express experienced brake block faults mid-journey, and the Thal Express collided with a car. Four days later, an explosion near Jacobabad damaged tracks, derailing five coaches of the Jaffar Express in what authorities described as the second major attack on the train.
Accidents continued through the summer. In August, six coaches of the Islamabad Express derailed between Lahore and Rawalpindi due to a broken track, injuring 30 passengers. The Awam Express derailed near Lodhran on August 17, while a freight train derailed near Paddidan on August 29. On September 11, two freight trains collided near Renala Khurd, killing an assistant driver and injuring another railway employee.
These accidents caused millions of rupees in losses, with multiple coaches and engines damaged beyond repair. Persistent operational delays were reported throughout the year, with trains frequently departing hours behind schedule from major stations, including Lahore.
While station buildings, waiting areas, and Wi-Fi facilities saw some upgrades, officials acknowledged that no significant progress was made in modernising tracks, signalling systems, or other safety infrastructure. The repeated incidents highlight the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in security, maintenance, and operational standards to prevent further casualties and losses.
Railway officials have called for enhanced safety protocols, better surveillance, and investment in modern infrastructure, warning that continued inaction could worsen the financial and human costs of train travel in Pakistan.
