BAHAWALPUR: Railway traffic on both the up and down tracks of the main Karachi-Lahore line was restored on Wednesday after a disruption of about 20 hours, while an inquiry committee was also formed to investigate the incident.

According to a Pakistan Railways (PR) press release, train operations resumed after repairs to the down track between Bahawalpur and Adam Wahan, near Lodhran, and the removal of overturned carriages using hydraulic cranes.

Panel led by FGIR to probe the incident

The down track at Adam Wahan was severely damaged late on Tuesday night when five carriages of the 8-DN Tezgam overturned and three others derailed, injuring 26 passengers and disrupting traffic on the main Karachi-Lahore route.

An official handout issued by the Lodhran public relations department stated that affected passengers were provided shelter overnight in government boys’ and girls’ high schools in Adam Wahan. Deputy Commissioner Lodhran Muhammad Ashraf supervised arrangements, ensuring provision of basic facilities. Passengers wishing to continue their journeys by road were provided transport, while those who stayed overnight departed by train on Wednesday after restoration of services.

The PR press release further stated that Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi took serious notice of the derailment and ordered an inquiry. A committee headed by Federal Government Inspector of Railways (FGIR) Rizwanul Haq Hashmi has been constituted to investigate the incident.

The inquiry will be conducted on March 26 and 27 at the office of the divisional superintendent (DS) Railways in Multan. Members of the public have been invited to record their statements if they wish to appear before the committee. The inquiry officer will determine responsibility for the derailment and submit recommendations to help prevent such incidents in the future.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2026