Ahsan Iqbal Reveals Plan to Revive Pakistan Railways

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has pressed the complete modernization of Pakistan Railways' Main Line-1 (ML-1), saying the railway corridor is critical to expanding trade, freight capacity and regional connectivity.

Key points

• ML-1 stretches 1, 726 kilometers from Karachi to Peshawar and carries 76 percent of Pakistan's passenger traffic and 98 percent of freight traffic.
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• Iqbal remarked the Karachi-Rohri section, estimated to cost concerning $2.5 billion, is the most advanced part of the ML-1 modernization plan.
• The minister remarked the Karachi-Rohri project should be treated as the first step toward modernizing the entire Karachi-Peshawar corridor rather than as a standalone project.
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Speaking at the Development Partners Dialogue on "Advancing Trade, Tourism and Regional Competitiveness" in Mongolia, Iqbal presented Pakistan's ML-1 modernization plan and briefed development partners on progress on the Karachi-Rohri section. Toyota Pakistan Accuses Competitors of Misusing GST Relief on EVs.

ML-1 stretches 1, 726 kilometers from Karachi to Peshawar and carries 76 percent of Pakistan's passenger traffic and 98 percent of freight traffic. Iqbal remarked modernizing the corridor was a national economic priority as of its importance to trade and economic expansion.

For context, the proposed upgrade would growth line capacity from 34 to 120 train pairs, raise passenger speeds to up to 160 kilometers per hour and rise freight speeds from 30 to 80 kilometers per hour. The Karachi-Rohri travel time would additionally fall from eight hours to concerning four and a half hours.

For context, the upgraded corridor is projected to backing rising freight demand. It is projected to reach around 21 million tons annually by 2035.

Iqbal remarked the Karachi-Rohri section, estimated to cost concerning $2.5 billion, is the most advanced part of the ML-1 modernization plan. While the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, World Bank, Islamic Development Bank and European Investment Bank are involved as co-financing partners, the Asian Development Bank is leading the financing effort.

In practice, the minister remarked project readiness financing had been secured, engineering work had been carried out and procurement and financing processes were advancing. He continued that the administration was additionally developing a financing plan for the remaining sections from Rohri to Peshawar. Pakistan Railways to Introduce New Premium Parlor Seats.

Notably, the minister remarked the Karachi-Rohri project should be treated as the first step toward modernizing the entire Karachi-Peshawar corridor rather than as a standalone project.

He continued that the focus should now be on implementation, maintaining financing continuity and securing funding for the remaining sections so that ML-1 could operate as an integrated high-capacity railway corridor. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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Taken together, the developments around ahsan Iqbal Reveals Plan to Revive Pakistan Railways point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.