SEVENTY-four precious lives were lost besides injuries to 90 others when Tezgam train bound for Rawalpindi from Karachi caught fire near Liaquatpur city in Rahim Yar Khan. Many people saved their lives by jumping from the train compartments.
The entire nation is grieved over the tragic incident that was, otherwise, avoidable if due care and caution was exercised by relevant officials of Pakistan Railways. As per version of Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, the fire was caused by a cylinder blast that occurred in the morning when some passengers were preparing their breakfast, adding that they belonged to tableeghi jamaat and were headed towards Raiwand. However, his version was disputed by a number of eye witnesses who claimed that the fire erupted due to short circuiting. It is possible that the fire might have broken out due to short circuiting and the damage was multiplied by gas cylinders that blasted later on. An inquiry has been ordered but facts might not come to surface as the inquiry is being conducted by Railway itself which has a vested interest to camouflage its weaknesses and failures.
It is also strange that not to speak of accepting responsibility for an avoidable incident, the Minister was quick in putting the blame on those who embraced martyrdom. The undue haste in pinpointing the responsibility smacks of something wrong on the part of Pakistan Railway and this aspect should thoroughly be investigated by an impartial body. In civilized world, Ministers accept responsibility when something goes wrong under their nose but here Ministers believe how they can be held responsible when they were not train drivers. Over eighty accidents during his tenure is not a good record for the Minister who ought to give more time to his Ministry than giving political statements and making prophesies about what is going to happen in the next three months. Railway has workshops and the necessary professional work force to ensure fitness and safety of trains but the system is not delivering due to slackness and want of vigilance. Railway journey the world over is considered to be safe and economical but here the safety record is very poor and it should be a cause for worry for Railway authorities and the Minister.
