Following the recent terrorist attack on the Jaffar Express, the National Assembly was informed that security measures for trains in Balochistan have been significantly strengthened.
During a session, Minister of State for Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani announced that the number of security personnel on trains traveling to Balochistan has been increased to 22, comprising 11 Railway police officers and 11 from the Frontier Corps. This is an enhancement from the previous deployment of 13 personnel per train.
He added that fencing for the Quetta railway station is set to begin soon. New walk-through gates and scanners are being installed to improve passenger screening, and the bomb disposal squad’s capabilities are being enhanced. Additionally, sniffer dogs are now being used to check all Balochistan-bound trains, and faulty communication systems are being upgraded to ensure smoother operations.
Highlighting long-term solutions for railway safety, Mr. Kayani emphasized the importance of the ML-1 project, a key part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Once completed, ML-1 will modernize crossings, reduce travel times by 40%, and provide a safer and faster railway system. The project includes major repairs, track maintenance, and upgrades to the Karachi-Hyderabad section under Package One. A Chinese technical team is expected to visit Pakistan soon to advance the project.
Additionally, Pakistan Railways has outsourced the commercial management of several trains to private contractors, significantly boosting revenue.
Separately, Minister of State for National Health Services Mukhtar Ahmad Malik shared plans for a healthcare insurance scheme for federal government employees, currently under study to assess the scope of treatment facilities it will provide.
