Serious questions have surfaced regarding the integrity of disciplinary proceedings within Pakistan Railways. Sources privy to the issue reported to TechJuice that the department is selectively targeting a specific group of officers on deputation. Meanwhile, other officers in identical positions face no consequences at all. This stark difference in treatment has triggered widespread concern within official circles.
Show-Cause Notices from Pakistan Railways Target Select Group
Pakistan Railways recently issued show-cause and personal hearing notices to a specific group of officers. The department alleges that these individuals failed to report back to their parent department after completing their deputation. Consequently, the authorities have ordered them to appear for a personal hearing.
According to an official confidential letter from the Pakistan Railways Headquarters Office in Lahore, dated June 23, 2026, the hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 14:00 hours. The Secretary and Chairman Railways will conduct the hearing at the Ministry of Railways (MOR). However, the summoned officers must report to the MOR early at 09:30 hours. Ejaz Mahmood, the APO/Confidential, signed the notice on behalf of the Chief Personnel Officer.
The personal hearing notices name the following six officers:
- Ms. Sayma Bashir: A BS-19 Officer from the Railways Commercial & Transportation Group, who is currently serving on deputation at the BISP Regional Office in Punjab.
- Mr. Naseer Ahmad Khan: A BS-18 Officer from the Railways Commercial & Transportation Group, currently stationed at the SAFRON Afghan Refugees Camp in Kot Chandan Mianwali.
- Ms. Sarosh Ejaz: A BS-18 Officer from the Railways Commercial & Transportation Group, serving as Additional Director Staff at NIPA-NSPP, National School of Public Policy in Lahore.
- Ms. Shireen Hina Asghar: A BS-18 Officer from the Railways Commercial & Transportation Group, working as Deputy Secretary (CP-I) under section 10 in the Establishment Division in Islamabad.
- Mr. Qazi Jawad: A BS-19 Officer from the Civil Engineer Department, currently serving as Director Infrastructure for the PCB in Lahore.
- Mr. Farhat Abbas Fakhari: A BS-19 Officer from the Civil Engineer Department, currently working as SGM/PD Infrastructure for the PCB in Lahore.
The official correspondence also forwarded a copy of the notice to the DD/AD (P&D) at the Ministry of Railways in Islamabad.
Clean Chits for Favored Officials?
In contrast, official records show that several other officers under identical legal arrangements remain completely untouched. This disparity has raised serious doubts about the consistency of the disciplinary process. Inside sources report that explicit directives actually existed mandating a uniform policy for handling deputation cases, yet practical disciplinary action remains limited to just a few individuals.
The documents explicitly name six officers who have not received any notices despite serving on similar deputations:
- Mr. Shahbaz Iqbal Malik
- Mr. Tariq Aziz Kolachi
- Mr. Zia-ur-Rehman
- Mr. Rashid Ali
- Mr. Tahir Masood Marwat
- Mr. Agha Waseem Ahmad
Because of this blatant bias, critics are questioning the specific criteria used to initiate these cases, asking why the legal procedures apply differently to officers sharing the exact same deputation status.
Accused Officers Allege Massive Procedural Lapses
The targeted officers strongly defend their positions and deny any wrongdoing. First, they emphasize that they did not choose to leave Pakistan Railways on their own initiative. Instead, the parent department formally deputed them through prescribed legal and administrative processes. Therefore, they still hold valid deputation orders.
Furthermore, the officers explain that they cannot unilaterally return to Pakistan Railways. Their current borrowing organizations have not yet formally relieved them from their duties. They promise to report back to the Railways department immediately after their formal release.
In addition to these points, the officers allege severe procedural irregularities. Pakistan Railways claims it issued prior warnings before sending the show-cause notices. However, the officers state they never officially received any prior correspondence, dismissing the claimed prior actions as a mere formality and an administrative eyewash. They argue that skipping this mandatory step bypasses due process and constitutes a major administrative blunder.
Ultimately, the affected officers believe the current proceedings are completely unjustified. They maintain that selectively targeting a few individuals while exempting others equals blatant discrimination. Meanwhile, Railways Secretary Mazar Ali Shah has maintained absolute silence. He did not respond to repeated phone calls, messages, or attempts made through other communication channels before the filing of this report. Consequently, the department leaves major questions unanswered as the June 30 deadline approaches.
