Pakistan’s economic collapse is no longer a looming threat—it is unfolding in plain sight. The country’s once-vital railway network is now a symbol of systemic failure, struggling to stay afloat as funds dry up and infrastructure crumbles.
Islamabad/Lahore: The financial meltdown gripping Pakistan has pushed its railways to the edge of paralysis. With coffers nearly empty, even routine operations have become a challenge. A report by Dawn exposes how chronic underfunding has forced authorities to cut corners on the maintenance of engines, coaches, wagons and tracks—turning the network into a disaster waiting to happen.
Cannibalised Coaches, Collapsing System
In a stark reflection of decay, railway staff are now stripping parts from one coach just to keep another running. This desperate patchwork is not limited to isolated pockets but spans all eight divisions—Lahore, Karachi, Multan, Sukkur, Quetta, Rawalpindi, Peshawar and the workshop division. The situation has deteriorated so badly that even top leadership is struggling to keep the system functional or ensure salaries are paid on time.
Half the Workforce Missing, Files Choking the System
The rot runs deeper than empty خزाने. Pakistan Railways is battling a paralysing administrative breakdown. Nearly 50 per cent of sanctioned posts lie vacant, crippling operations. At the same time, suffocating red tape means even minor financial approvals—such as PKR 500,000—are stuck in endless bureaucratic loops. The result: an overburdened workforce forced to prop up a failing system on the brink.
A Crisis Years in the Making, Now at Breaking Point
What is unfolding today is the culmination of years of neglect and structural decay. By 2026, the crisis has reached a tipping point. Officials warn that unless drastic intervention occurs, operational targets will remain out of reach and revenues will collapse—raising the very real prospect of Pakistan’s railway network grinding to a complete halt.
