ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said on Wednesday that the Main Line (ML-1) railway project, a component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is poised to become a beneficial transit route for countries in the region.
Committing to prioritizing the completion of ML-1, PM Kakar highlighted its potential to enhance connectivity between the country’s seaports and economic zones. During a meeting at the PM House to discuss ML-1, he underlined the project’s role in improving the communication network within the country.
PM Kakar expressed the significant potential for foreign investment in Pakistan Railways and urged the swift realization of its projects. Stressing the importance of meeting project targets within the stipulated time, he directed the formulation of a comprehensive reform strategy for Pakistan Railways to maximize the benefits of ML-1.
Emphasizing transparency in the project’s implementation, the premier said that ML-1 would generate new employment opportunities while reducing travel time and freight rates.
ML-1 Railway Project to be Executed in Two Phases
The meeting revealed that the ML-1 project is in the final stages of modalities, with ground-breaking expected early next year. The project will be executed in two phases, with the first phase involving the laying of a 930-kilometer rail track from Karachi to Multan. Additionally, the railway infrastructure damaged by the 2022 flood will be upgraded to international standards.
In the subsequent phase, a 796-kilometer rail track from Multan to Peshawar will be laid, aligning with future requirements. The meeting included caretaker federal ministers Shamshad Akhtar and Sami Saeed, PM’s Adviser Ahad Khan, PM’s Special Assistant Jahanzeb Khan, and senior officials from relevant ministries.
