ADB, Pakistan discuss financing and upgradation of ML-1 project -

Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice President Yang met Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi to discuss financing and upgradation of the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project, ongoing reforms and the future development of Pakistan Railways.

During the meeting at the Ministry of Railways, the minister said ML-1 was a national priority and that the government was committed to laying the foundation stone for the Karachi-Rohri section during the current financial year.

The Karachi-Rohri ML-1 upgrade is estimated to cost around US$2.5 billion and is expected to be completed within three years. Abbasi said the 183-kilometre Nawabshah-Rohri section would be prioritised in line with directions from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The minister urged the ADB to accelerate approval of a central investment loan for the project and expressed Pakistan’s interest in continued cooperation with the ADB and other development partners to finance the remaining ML-1 sections from Rohri to Peshawar.

Abbasi said the ML-1 upgrade would reduce travel time between Karachi and Lahore by around five hours while improving train speeds, passenger facilities, safety and operational efficiency.

Describing ML-1 as the “backbone” of Pakistan Railways, he said its modernisation would improve the overall efficiency, sustainability and performance of the railway network.

The minister also briefed the ADB delegation on reforms aimed at improving the financial sustainability, governance and operational efficiency of Pakistan Railways. These include infrastructure upgrades, outsourcing and digitalisation, along with efforts to expand public-private partnerships and private-sector investment.

He said modern information technology was being introduced to make railway services more efficient, transparent and passenger-friendly, with reforms focused on improving passenger services, financial viability and revenue generation.

Abbasi also highlighted plans to expand freight operations, saying rail transport was safer and more economically efficient than road freight. The ML-1 upgrade, he added, would help increase freight train speeds and expand the railway’s overall freight capacity.

The minister appreciated the ADB’s continued support for the modernisation of Pakistan Railways and expressed interest in strengthening cooperation.

ADB Vice President Yang welcomed the ongoing reforms and efforts to modernise Pakistan Railways and reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting the development and sustainable improvement of the country’s railway system. – ERMD

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