Pakistan Railways dismisses two officials over Khanewal bridge collapse

LAHORE: Pakistan Railways has removed two officers from service after an inquiry into last year’s bridge collapse at Khanewal Railway Station found them responsible for negligence.

The administration took action on Tuesday after completing disciplinary proceedings linked to the accident on May 30 last year. The collapse of a concrete slab from an ageing passenger and pedestrian overhead bridge killed a railway employee and seriously injured a woman passenger, leading the federal minister for railways to order a detailed investigation.

According to the inquiry report, then Divisional Engineer, Multan division, Abid Razzaq, a grade-18 officer, and Assistant Engineer, Khanewal, Raja Yousaf, a grade-17 officer, were dismissed from service. The report held the officials negligent, which led to the disciplinary action.

The railway administration said in a statement that the department remained committed to a "zero-tolerance" policy on negligence and incompetence and that the case had been taken to its logical conclusion in line with the inquiry findings. The statement added that accountability would continue and there would be no compromise on negligence or professional misconduct.

Accident and earlier suspensions

The incident occurred when a concrete slab from a 100-year-old deteriorating overhead bridge fell from a height of 30 feet at Khanewal Railway Station. The slab struck special ticket examiner Muhammad Ikram, who died in the accident. A woman passenger also fell with the slab and suffered multiple injuries.

Following the collapse, Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi had said strict action would be taken against those found responsible and that no leniency would be shown in cases involving loss of human life.

Soon after the incident, three employees posted in Multan and Khanewal were suspended over what the minister described as negligence in carrying out timely maintenance of the bridge. Those suspended were Abid Razzaq, Divisional Engineer-1 (BS-18), Raja Yousuf, Assistant Executive Engineer (BS-17), and Muhammad Adil, Bridge Inspector (BS-16).

Rescue 1122 teams responded to the scene and recovered Muhammad Ikram’s body after cutting through the heavy slab, which weighed around one tonne.

Inquiry panel

The inquiry committee formed after the accident comprised the then chief executive officer of Pakistan Railways, Amir Ali Baloch, Inspector General Railways Police Rai Tahir, and Divisional Superintendent Lahore Tariq Latif.

The action announced on Tuesday marks the outcome of that inquiry, with two officials dismissed after the investigation fixed responsibility for the fatal collapse.