ML-1 moves closer to groundbreaking
Pakistan Railways' flagship Main Line-1 (ML-1) project has moved closer to implementation, with the government setting October 30, 2026 as the deadline for completion of the review phase and deciding to launch the second round of market consultation next month.
The decisions are expected to clear the remaining technical and procedural issues and pave the way for the formal launch of the long-delayed railway modernization project.
The second phase of market consultation will begin on September 8, during which international experts and potential stakeholders will be consulted on project preparation, implementation and the way forward.
PR Chairman Syed Mazhar Ali Shah, who chaired a high-level meeting on the project at the railway headquarters on Saturday, directed international design consultants, review consultants and senior railway officials to maintain close coordination and ensure continuous progress. He also ordered weekly reviews of the project so that delays and outstanding issues could be addressed promptly. Particular attention was given to the Karachi-Rohri section, identified as the first phase of the ML-1 project.
According to official documents presented before the National Assembly, the 480-kilometre Karachi-Rohri section has an estimated cost of $2.04 billion, with construction planned over three years.
The government has engaged the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for financing this section and secured a $10 million Project Readiness Financing loan.
Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi expressed satisfaction over progress on ML-1 and said the prospects for launching the flagship project this year have become brighter.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is taking a special interest in the project and directed its completion within the stipulated timeframe.
"ML-1 is the foundation for the development and modernisation of Pakistan Railways. Its upgrading will improve train speeds, passenger facilities and the overall efficiency of the railway system," he said.
He added that merit, transparency and competition would be ensured throughout the project and the government would use recommendations from the market and technical experts to make ML-1 more effective.
The ML-1 project envisages upgrading the 1,726-km Karachi-Peshawar railway corridor in five sections. The Karachi-Rohri section is followed by Rohri-Multan, Multan-Lahore, Lahore-Rawalpindi and Rawalpindi-Peshawar.
The government has estimated the total cost of the rationalised project at around $6.66 billion.
The project is designed to substantially improve railway capacity and speed. Earlier official plans envisaged passenger train speeds of up to 160 km per hour, higher axle-load capacity, improved signaling, track rehabilitation and doubling of sections where required.
The Karachi-Rohri section is particularly important because it carries a major share of passenger and freight traffic and provides the first step toward modernising the entire north-south railway corridor.
The government had earlier stated that groundwork for this section would begin in 2026, while ADB financing and completion of project documentation remain key requirements for moving into construction. The ministry said there are great chances of initiating this mega project this year.