Islamabad: The Standing Committee on Railways convened for its 8th meeting at the Ministry of Railways in Islamabad. Chaired by Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan, MNA, the meeting focused on the Jaffer Express incident and updates on major railway projects.

The meeting commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by prayers for the victims of the Jaffer Express incident. The committee expressed dissatisfaction over the absence of the Secretary, Ministry of Interior, and mandated his presence at the next meeting for a comprehensive briefing on the incident. An in-camera briefing with the Minister for Railways, Inspector General of Pakistan Railways Police, and the Additional Secretary, Ministry of Interior, was scheduled. The bravery of the security forces involved in the rescue operation was acknowledged.

Subsequently, the committee opened its doors to the media and discussed other agenda items. The Secretary Railway Board provided updates on two significant projects: the procurement and manufacturing of 820 high-capacity freight wagons and 230 passenger carriages, and the Thar rail connectivity project. The freight wagons project, initially costed at Rs.9,481.716 million, now stands revised at Rs.17,575.452 million. The completion of the remaining 390 wagons is expected by December 31, 2025. The passenger coaches project, with an initial cost of Rs.21,712.275 million, has been revised to Rs.53,392.493 million, with 184 coaches expected by June 30, 2027. Enhancements in capacity and load standards were noted.

The Thar Rail Connectivity Project, with administrative approval since May 2024, is set to be completed within two years, costing Rs.53,726.926 million. This project is a joint venture between Pakistan Railways and the Government of Sindh, sharing costs equally. Visual presentations of the projects were shown to the committee.

Attendees included MNAs such as Mr. Waseem Qadir and Ms. Mehreen Razzak Bhutto, alongside senior officers from the Ministry of Railways and Pakistan Railways.