At 05:15 am on Tuesday, the Rehman Baba Express, bound from Karachi to Peshawar, derailed at the Sher Shah crossing, killing five passengers and injuring several others.
Kaleem Akhtar, spokesperson for Pakistan Railways, said the derailment happened while the train was traveling at 80 km/h and that emergency crews were dispatched within minutes.
President Asif Ali Zardari released a statement condemning the tragedy and instructing the health ministry to provide the best medical care for the wounded.
This incident follows a 2023 derailment that killed 30 people and injured 90, highlighting chronic safety issues in a rail network that has seen decades of underinvestment.
Railways officials have announced a full investigation and a review of track conditions, and the cabinet will meet later this week to discuss reforms.