A strike observed by train drivers in Quetta on November 22 has brought the issue of faulty locomotives and dilapidated rail infrastructure into the spotlight. Train drivers argue that they are no more ready to risk their lives as well as many others by driving these ‘dangerous’ engines on faulty tracks. A number of train accidents have already occurred across the country due to the vulnerability of the rail infrastructure as well as defective engines. After the latest incident of the derailment of Jaffar Express in Bolan the other day that claimed about 20 lives, train drivers have refused to perform their duties and the Railway authorities are struggling to convince them to give up the strike that continued for the second consecutive day. The passengers are the ultimate sufferers of this deadlock as they have to wait for hours at railway stations to reach their destinations. A more pathetic aspect is that after any train tragedy, the concerned train driver is held responsible for negligence. Actually most accidents are caused by obsolete rolling stock and track as well as other technical and maintenance reasons. The dilapidated, depreciated and outdated system of Pakistan Railways is not only affecting the passengers but also locomotive drivers who are working under these hazardous conditions on a daily basis.It is very unfortunate that the recurring train disasters have failed to catch the attention of the concerned Railway authorities. No investment has been made to upgrade the railway infrastructure for decades. It is the responsibility of Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique to ensure the safety of passengers as well as railway staff. The dilapidated tracks and outdated railway system must be refurbished on a war footing. If the Railways Ministry does not pay attention to reviving this dead horse, more disasters will happen in the future. A train journey is still a relatively cheap source of travel that is used by millions of people daily. Therefore the government should pay attention to the plight of Pakistan Railways. It is criminal laxity and ill-planning on the part of the Railways Ministry that Pakistan Railways is facing a downhill slide. The need of the hour is that the government should pay attention to the safety of citizens instead of relying on a dilapidated rail infrastructure. Modern engines must be inducted to streamline train services across the country. At the same time, the Railways Ministry should address the concerns of train drivers. They should not be held responsible for every accident on the track unjustifiably. *