Five dead and multiple injured after Rehman Baba Express derails in Punjab

Around 5:15 a.m. on Tuesday, the Rehman Baba Express, which runs between Karachi and Peshawar, derailed near the town of Sher Shah in Punjab province. The crash resulted in at least five fatalities and left several passengers injured, who were taken to Nishtar Hospital in Multan for treatment. Pakistan Railways spokesperson Kaleem Akhtar confirmed the derailment, while rescue teams continued to work at the site.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif each issued statements of condolence and instructed authorities to provide the best possible care for the victims. The tragedy highlights ongoing safety challenges in Pakistan’s rail network, which suffers from decades of underinvestment, outdated tracks and aging signalling systems. A similar derailment in 2023 claimed 30 lives, underscoring the need for systemic reforms.