{
  "id": 9066599,
  "title": "Asian Development Bank, World Bank show interest in $6.8bn ML-1",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/asian-development-bank-world-bank-show-interest-in-6-8bn-ml-1",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-22T02:24:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2031713/asian-development-bank-world-bank-show-interest-in-68bn-ml-1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank (WB) have shown interest in the $6.8 billion Karachi-Peshawar Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project, following the withdrawal of Chinese financing. A team from the Economic Affairs Division briefed the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on EAD on the ML-1 project, which includes institutional and operational reforms to enhance Pakistan Railways' efficiency, sustainability, and service delivery. The project design has been re-evaluated to accommodate train speeds of up to 160km per hour, with an expected completion timeline of three years. The committee expressed concern over the operational speed and recommended a consultative meeting to focus on major development and infrastructure projects in Karachi and Sindh. The panel also emphasized the importance of addressing outstanding issues and financing-related bottlenecks to expedite implementation. Concerning the K-IV water supply project, the committee stressed the need for thorough review and corrective measures to meet Karachi's growing water requirements by 2029.",
  "summary": "ISLAMABAD: Major international lenders, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank (WB), have expressed interest in the 1,800km Karachi-Peshawar Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project, with its revised estimated cost of $6.8 billion following the withdrawal of Chinese financing . A team of the Economic Affairs Division (EAD), led by Secretary Humair Karim, briefed the National…",
  "key_points": [
    "Asian Development Bank and World Bank interested in $6.8bn Karachi-Peshawar ML-1 project",
    "Project aims to increase train speeds to 160km/h and complete in three years",
    "Committee urges consultative meeting on major development projects in Karachi and Sindh"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn Business",
        "title": "Asian Development Bank, World Bank show interest in $6.8bn ML-1",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/asian-development-bank-world-bank-show-interest-in-6-8bn-ml-1-9066942",
        "published": "2026-09-22T02:24:49.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}