What happened
Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi said on 25 March 2026 that “human error and some mechanical issues” were most probably the reasons behind the derailment of the Karachi-bound Tezgam Express the previous night, Dawn reported.
Twenty-six passengers were injured, including one critically, when seven coaches of the train derailed near Adam Wahan Railway Station near Punjab’s Lodhran on Tuesday night.
“I can not confirm before time … the reasons behind this derailment. But most probably, the reasons seem related to mechanical and human error,” Abbasi told Dawn on Wednesday morning.
Why it matters
The minister linked the incident to the ageing condition of the national fleet. “You know they (Pakistan Railways) have very old coaches to run. And they have not addressed such issues well,” he said, adding that there had been no proper maintenance of the locomotives for the past nine years.
Abbasi said 1960-model coaches are still in use and are being refurbished one by one — not only paint work but mechanical and other repairs. He said the rakes of the Sukkur Express and Awam Express would also soon be refurbished.
The train was later dispatched to Karachi in a five-coach configuration. Driver Tariq Khan said he took a five-coach train to Sammasatta Station, where it continued to Karachi under another driver, and that he realised the coaches had separated when he noticed a drop in load.
A Pakistan Railways spokesperson did not reveal the cause on Tuesday, saying it would be ascertained after an inquiry ordered by railway officials. Some eyewitnesses claimed the derailment occurred when the couplers between the bogies broke, dividing the train into two parts; seven bogies stayed attached to the engine, of which five were derailed.
What is still uncertain
The official inquiry has not yet reported, and the minister said he could not confirm the cause before time. Pakistan Railways Divisional Superintendent Multan Muhammad Hanif Gul announced strict action against officials found negligent. The minister credited the railways and provincial departments with a joint rescue and relief operation, saying there were no casualties or serious injuries because of the timely response.
Sources & reporting notes
This is a synthesis of published material, not eyewitness reporting. Sources were reviewed on 2026-03-25.
- Dawn — Railways minister says Tezgam Express derailment likely due to ‘mechanical and human error’Published 25 March 2026 · Reports the injuries, the minister's statement, fleet maintenance concerns and witness accounts.