Karachi train accident due to assistant driver’s negligence: Saad

ISLAMABAD: Railways Minister Kh Saad Rafiq on Wednesday told the Senate that the Karachi train accident occurred due to negligence of driver and his assistant.

Responding to a call attention notice regarding the Karachi train accident issued by senators Shireen Rehman, Mukhtar Dhabra, Karim Khawaja, Salim Mandiwala and Saeedul Hassan Mandokhel, he said railways was run on non-political basis during the last three and a half years and its income has enhanced from Rs18 billion to Rs 36 billion till June 30, 2016. The outdated railway system was handed over to us which could not be equal to international modern system within the period of five years, he added.

Talking about the Karachi train accident, the minister said, “I immediately issued the orders of relief operation soon after the incident. The probe of train incident was conducted and driver and assistant driver of the train were held responsible as both were not present on their seats at the time of the accident.”

He told the house that the family of the train driver was traveling in the train when the accident happened and he was accompanied with them while the assistant driver was present in the cabin but he became worried at the time of accident. The minister added that all signals were functional and the train was running at full speed and all signals were ignored. He assured that strict action would be taken against those responsible.

Saad said the train safety seminars were relaunched and all precautionary measures are being adopted in this regard, adding that security cameras would be installed in all cabins of trains while a ban will be imposed on preparation of food items inside the cabin. He added modern system of signal and tracking would have to be adopted, however, funds worth billions of rupees are required for this purpose.

The Senate unanimously passed the Plant Breeders Rights Bill 2016. The bill was moved by Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Bosan. Minister for Human Rights Kamran Michael laid before the house the Hindu Marriage Bill 2016. The chair referred the bill to the concerned Standing Committee of the House. The Senate was also informed that Pakistan Urban Planning and Policy Centre (PUPPC) has been established at the federal level to achieve the objectives of smart urban development.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sh Aftab Ahmad told the house during Question-Hour that the agenda of the centre is to act as a think-tank for public and private sector stakeholders in the field of urban development regulation and management.

Earlier, chairman on behalf of the house condemned the killing of innocent civilians in Indian firing along the Line of Control. He also warned Indian rulers that the people of Pakistan will stand united and offer befitting response in case of any aggression from across the border. The house will now meet today (Thursday) afternoon.