ML-1 moves closer to groundbreaking

Pakistan Railways' Main Line-1 (ML-1) project is advancing towards completion, with the government setting October 30, 2026, as the deadline for finishing the review phase. The decision to initiate the second round of market consultation next month is expected to resolve remaining technical and procedural hurdles, setting the stage for the project's formal launch.

This high-profile railway modernization initiative aims to upgrade the 1,726-kilometer Karachi-Peshawar railway corridor, divided into five distinct sections. The Karachi-Rohri section, identified as the first phase, is estimated to cost $2.04 billion and will be constructed over a three-year period. A $10 million Project Readiness Financing loan has been secured from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to support this segment.

Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi expressed satisfaction with ML-1 progress, emphasizing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's keen interest in the project and the aspiration to complete it within the set timeframe. The ML-1 project is designed to elevate train speeds, enhance passenger amenities, and boost railway system efficiency.

The government pledges to ensure merit, transparency, and healthy competition throughout the project, relying on input from market and technical experts to optimize its effectiveness.