Pakistan Railways Karachi operation has been ordered by Divisional Superintendent (DS) Karachi Jamshed Alam, who has directed officials to launch a drive across all sections against illegal occupation and encroachments on the department’s valuable land. The decision underscores a renewed push to protect railway assets and restore state property that has been gradually lost to unauthorised use.
According to the directive, officials have been tasked with identifying railway land in full and taking the necessary measures to remove encroachments. The DS instructed them to ensure that railway land is retrieved and illegal occupation cleared, while at the same time making certain that no injustice is done to any individual during the operation. The balancing act reflects an awareness of the sensitivities involved in clearing occupied land, where evictions can give rise to local grievances if not handled with care.
Jamshed Alam conducted a detailed visit to the Badin railway section, where he inspected various railway facilities and reviewed their condition. During the visit, he also inspected the Tando Jam and Badin railway stations, assessing cleanliness standards and the facilities available to passengers. The inspections form part of a broader effort to gauge the state of infrastructure on the section and address shortcomings that affect both operations and passenger experience.
The DS further reviewed the condition of railway tracks, bridges and other infrastructure, and directed officials to carry out immediate repair work wherever required. His instructions place emphasis on remedial action rather than mere observation, signalling that the department intends to follow through on maintenance needs identified during the visit.
The Pakistan Railways Karachi operation is the latest in a series of measures aimed at reforming the organisation, which has faced long-standing challenges related to encroachment, maintenance backlogs and financial strain. Earlier this year, Pakistan Railways began clearing long-outstanding employee payments as part of broader efforts to achieve financial stability and institutional reform. The department initiated the payment of travelling allowances owed to Grade IV employees for the past eight years.
Officials said Rs70 million had been released for the settlement of these dues, prompting celebrations among staff members. In a further development, Pakistan Railways also paid Rs290 million to contractors. Authorities confirmed that employees’ salary cheques had been forwarded in advance to the State Bank of Pakistan to ensure timely payment.
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi said that punctual disbursements and improved financial management reflected better governance within the organisation. He added that the department remained committed to strengthening Pakistan Railways through continued financial reforms and institutional restructuring.
The combination of financial housekeeping and physical asset recovery suggests a two-pronged approach by the railways’ leadership: stabilising the institution’s books while reclaiming and repairing the land and infrastructure on which its operations depend. For Karachi, the operation ordered by the DS will be watched closely, both for its effectiveness in retrieving railway land and for how it manages the human dimension of clearing encroachments.
As the drive moves forward across all sections, the department’s ability to balance firm action with fair treatment will shape perceptions of the effort. The inspection of the Badin section, along with the directions for immediate repairs, indicates that the focus extends beyond eviction to the restoration of services and facilities that passengers rely on.
Source: ARY News