NA Committee Seeks Solution to Railway Welfare Pump Dispute

ISLAMABAD: (Staff Reporter) – The National Assembly Standing Committee on Railways has taken serious notice of a dispute over the ownership and management of a welfare petrol pump in Lahore established to support the families of Pakistan Railways Police martyrs and personnel who died in the line of duty.

The committee directed the Ministry of Railways to develop a workable and amicable solution and submit a comprehensive report within one month, stressing that the welfare and rights of the martyrs’ families must remain a priority.

The 18th meeting of the standing committee was held at Parliament House on Monday under the chairmanship of Ramesh Lal. Chairman Railways Syed Mazhar Ali Shah, Inspector General Pakistan Railways Police Muhammad Wisal Fakhar Sultan Raja, DIG Railways Sarfraz Ahmad Falki, CEO Railways Hafeezullah, Secretary Railway Board Rahat Mirza and several MNAs attended the meeting.

During the proceedings, the IG Railways Police informed the committee that around 300 families of railway employees and personnel who died while serving the department were still waiting for payments under the Prime Minister’s Assistance Package.

He warned that if Pakistan Railways Police personnel continued to be included in the general list of railway employees, the affected families could face delays of up to 15 years before receiving their dues under the existing disbursement system.

MNA Waseem Qadir suggested that the families of railway police martyrs should be separated from the general railway employees’ list and given priority for compensation because the police force performs frontline law-enforcement duties. MNA Malik Ibrar Ahmed also supported the proposal and stressed the need to address the problems faced by families of personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty.

The IG further explained that Pakistan Railways Police personnel, from constables to the IGP, contribute to their welfare fund through monthly deductions from their salaries. He said the PSO petrol pump at Lahore Police Lines, established in 2004, was funded entirely through these welfare contributions and that Pakistan Railways had not invested any money in the project.

According to the IG, income generated through the petrol pump supports a range of welfare measures, including a monthly stipend of Rs10,000 for widows, financial assistance of up to Rs600,000 for martyrs’ families, Rs200,000 for families of personnel who die while in service, and dowry grants of Rs80,000 for daughters’ marriages.

The welfare fund also provides full educational scholarships to orphan students studying at institutions including LUMS, NUST and Aga Khan University.

The IG warned that losing control of the petrol pump could seriously disrupt this welfare system and leave the families of deceased personnel without crucial financial and educational support.

DIG Railways Sarfraz Ahmad Falki told the committee that an audit objection raised by the Public Accounts Committee was procedural in nature and could be addressed through documentary evidence. He said a formal review application had been submitted through the Ministry of Railways on August 29, 2026, seeking retention of the site’s management and possession by the Railways Police.

After hearing the officials, the standing committee directed the Ministry of Railways to resolve the dispute through a practical arrangement within one month and submit a detailed report. The committee particularly emphasised safeguarding the interests of widows, orphans and other dependents of Pakistan Railways Police martyrs.