On the special directives of the Federal Ombudsman Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi, the Regional Head of the Federal Ombudsman Secretariat Sukkur Office, Mahmood Ali Shah, carried out a surprise inspection of the Rohri Junction Railway Station. He was accompanied by Manzoor Ahmed Soomro and a team from the Food Department. The purpose of the visit was to review the facilities being provided to passengers and to ensure timely resolution of public complaints.
During the visit, the team conducted a thorough inspection of the overall condition of the station, including cleanliness arrangements, availability of drinking water, condition of washrooms, and other passenger amenities. Mahmood Ali Shah and his team also directly interacted with passengers to hear their grievances. The passengers raised concerns over poor sanitation, lack of clean drinking water, and irregularities in the pricing of food and other consumables being sold at the station.
Upon listening to the complaints, the Regional Head immediately summoned the railway administration and issued strict instructions to ensure the provision of basic facilities without delay. He emphasized that negligence in providing such services was unacceptable and ordered urgent corrective measures. The Food Authority team present during the visit checked the price lists of vendors, and several shopkeepers found guilty of overcharging were fined on the spot.
In addition to passenger facilities, the team also carried out a detailed inspection of the CCTV control room. The purpose was to review the effectiveness of the security and monitoring system in place. Mahmood Ali Shah highlighted that an improved surveillance mechanism was crucial for ensuring passenger safety and maintaining discipline at the station.
Speaking to the media during the visit, the Regional Head stated that this surprise inspection was part of the Federal Ombudsman’s policy to promptly address public grievances, introduce a strong check-and-balance system, and ensure that passengers enjoy a safe and comfortable travel experience. He further added that the feedback collected directly from passengers was extremely valuable for shaping future reforms.
The team observed that while the Rohri Junction is one of the busiest railway stations in the region, the standard of cleanliness and availability of essential facilities fell short of expectations. Passengers had repeatedly complained about unhygienic conditions, inadequate water supply, and exploitative practices by food vendors. By acting swiftly on these complaints, the Federal Ombudsman Secretariat demonstrated its commitment to making public service institutions more accountable.
Mahmood Ali Shah assured the passengers that their voices had been heard and immediate steps would be taken to address the highlighted issues. He reaffirmed that passenger welfare was the top priority and that the railways must ensure proper upkeep of facilities. He also instructed the railway authorities to submit compliance reports confirming that the ordered improvements had been implemented.
The Regional Head stressed that surprise visits would continue as part of a sustained oversight strategy. These inspections are intended to keep railway officials vigilant and responsive to the needs of travelers. “We are working to create an environment where passengers feel confident that their complaints will not only be heard but resolved in a timely and effective manner,” he said.
The visit concluded with Mahmood Ali Shah announcing that a comprehensive report of the inspection would be compiled and forwarded to the Federal Ombudsman Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi. This report will form the basis for further reforms and policy decisions aimed at elevating the standard of services across the railway network.
Such accountability-driven initiatives signal a growing emphasis on transparency and public service delivery. For the passengers of Rohri and beyond, the hope is that these measures will translate into cleaner stations, fair pricing, and a more comfortable travel experience in the days to come.
