Preparations to upgrade Pakistan Railways ML-1 enter final stage

Pakistan Railways Chief Executive Officer Aamir Ali Baloch said on Saturday that preparations for the upgradation of Main Line-1 (ML-1) have entered the final stage, and ground-breaking for the long-delayed project is expected in July.

The remarks came in a meeting with a delegation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) at the Railways Headquarters in Lahore. The ADB delegation held detailed discussions with senior railway officials on the scope, design and financing structure of the ML-1 upgradation.

During the meeting, the delegation shared its observations and technical recommendations with the CEO, while both sides agreed to move forward to finalise key details of the project.

The Lahore meeting was held after the ADB team recently inspected the Karachi to Rohri railway line, a critical 480-kilometre section that forms part of the first package of ML-1. Officials said the site visit was aimed at assessing the existing infrastructure and identifying priority areas for investment, particularly in track renewal, improving the signal system and speed enhancement.

ML-1 is the backbone of Pakistan’s rail network, stretching over 1,872 kilometres from Karachi to Peshawar and carrying the bulk of the country’s passenger and freight traffic. The project aims to modernise the ageing railway system to increase the speed of trains, improve safety, enhance freight capacity and reduce travel time between major cities.

Once completed, it is expected to significantly lower logistics costs and support industrial growth by ensuring reliable transportation of goods, including coal from Thar and minerals from Balochistan.

The pace of the project, however, is not smooth and still many analysts do not believe that the ML-1's ground-breaking will be possible in July, as they have heard such statements previously and too often.

Although the initial feasibility was prepared years ago, serious progress only began after ML-1 was included under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. At that time, China had expressed readiness to finance the project, but rising costs, changes in design, and Pakistan’s mounting debt concerns led to delays.

Over time, the project’s estimated cost was revised many times, prompting China to adopt a more cautious approach, particularly as Islamabad struggled to secure sustainable financing terms.

As a result, Pakistan turned to multilateral lenders, including the ADB, to explore alternative financing options.

While ADB has not yet formally approved funding, officials see the recent inspections and high-level engagements as a positive sign. Analysts believe ADB’s involvement could help restructure the project into manageable phases, easing the financial burden and restoring momentum.

Former railway officials said the renewed engagement with ADB marks a critical step towards reviving ML-1. If financing is secured and timelines are met, the project could finally move from decades of planning into execution, offering a long-awaited boost to the country’s transport and economic infrastructure.