PR to finally begin ML-1 work this year

Pakistan Railways (PR) is set to commence work on the long-delayed ML-1 project for the first time this year, with Rs25 billion allocated from the Rs40 billion released to the department. The Senate Standing Committee on Railways was informed of this development on Monday. However, the secretary of the Railway Board warned that PR continues to face severe funding constraints, as it had demanded Rs180 billion from the federal government last year but only received Rs40 billion.

As a result, projects have been prioritized based on available resources, impacting track rehabilitation and safety works across the country.

The committee was updated on various projects, including Rs307.993 million allocated for rehabilitating the Kotri-Akhandabad track for the 2026-27 financial year, Rs2.778 billion earmarked for urgent track safety works on the Rohri-Khanpur section, and Rs200 million allocated for essential track safety works on the Keamari-Hyderabad section. However, only 4% of work on the Keamari-Hyderabad section has been completed due to insufficient funds.

The Kotri-Dadu section project, which has seen 80% completion, is expected to be finished by June 2027. Committee member Wasim Qadir proposed a special request to the Prime Minister's Office for the dilapidated Sukkur-Rohri section, which was unanimously approved. Railway officials reported that work on the Khanewal-Shorkot track via Faisalabad is only at 10% due to a lack of funding, with only Rs180 million allocated.

Committee member Mahreen Razzaq Bhutto expressed grave concerns over the shortage of funds and track safety issues, highlighting that dozens of trains are derailing across the country due to poor track conditions. She criticized the government's lack of attention to the Ministry of Railways. The meeting also saw a heated exchange among members over political remarks, with the committee convener stating that if the Railway Board were empowered, PR could deliver better results using its own resources.