LAHORE: Pakistan Railways Police (PRP) will begin checking passenger tickets and taking action against ticketless travellers under a new directive issued by the Inspector General’s office at the Central Police Office (CPO) in Lahore.
According to the official order, special PRP teams from CPO Lahore will conduct inspections in coordination with Special Branch personnel from the respective railway divisions.
Authorities have established four teams to carry out ticket checks along the Peshawar-Rawalpindi, Lahore-Multan, Sukkur-Karachi Main Line and Sukkur-Quetta routes.
Teams Ordered to Submit Daily Reports
The directive requires each team to submit a daily report to the CPO. Moreover, personnel must share their live locations through WhatsApp twice each day so the competent authority can review their movements and activities.
The order warned officials against negligence while performing the newly assigned responsibilities.
Furthermore, all Senior Superintendents of Police have been instructed to direct station house officers and railway police post in-charges to cooperate with the checking teams.
Local railway police officials must also facilitate the teams during their assignments, including by arranging accommodation where required.
New Duties Raise Questions Within Department
However, the decision has reportedly prompted concerns within Pakistan Railways over whether police personnel have the equipment and specialised training required for systematic ticket inspections.
Railway police officers reportedly do not have dedicated ticket-checking devices, adding to questions about implementing the new arrangement.
The directive also changes the traditional division of responsibilities within Pakistan Railways.
Historically, the commercial department has handled ticket issuance and passenger ticket inspections, while PRP personnel have primarily focused on passenger security, law enforcement and protection of railway property.
Nevertheless, the latest order gives police teams a direct role in tackling ticketless travel on four major railway routes.
The directive does not specify how long the special checking operation will continue or whether authorities eventually plan to expand it to additional routes.
