Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has emphasized the urgent need to fully modernize Pakistan Railways’ Main Line-1 (ML-1), describing the project as essential for expanding freight capacity, enhancing trade, and strengthening regional connectivity. He outlined these points while addressing a development partners dialogue on “Advancing Trade, Tourism and Regional Competitiveness” held in Mongolia.
Iqbal detailed Pakistan’s ML-1 modernization strategy and shared updates on progress made on the Karachi-Rohri segment. Stretching 1,726 kilometers from Karachi to Peshawar, the ML-1 serves as the backbone of the country’s railway network, handling 76 percent of passenger traffic and 98 percent of freight despite significant infrastructure limitations.
He stressed that upgrading the corridor is not just a railway project but a national economic imperative closely tied to Pakistan’s trade growth potential. The planned improvements aim to increase the line’s capacity from 34 to 120 train pairs, boost passenger speeds up to 160 kilometers per hour, and raise freight speeds from 30 to 80 kilometers per hour.
Notably, the journey time between Karachi and Rohri is expected to be cut from about eight hours to roughly four and a half hours. The enhanced corridor will also be equipped to handle a projected freight demand of approximately 21 million tonnes annually by 2035.
The Karachi-Rohri section, estimated to cost around $2.5 billion, represents the most advanced phase of the ML-1 modernization effort. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is spearheading the financing, with co-financing partners including the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), World Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and European Investment Bank.
Iqbal noted that the project has progressed beyond initial planning stages, having secured project-readiness financing, completed engineering work, and advanced procurement and financing procedures. He highlighted that Pakistan views the Karachi-Rohri upgrade as the initial phase of a comprehensive modernization of the entire Karachi-Peshawar corridor.
Simultaneously, the government is exploring financing options for the remaining sections between Rohri and Peshawar. Iqbal pointed out that the priority now is not debating the need for modernization but focusing on turning the progress on Karachi-Rohri into actual implementation while securing funds for the rest of the corridor in parallel.
He concluded that the modernized ML-1 will deliver a higher-capacity railway corridor capable of meeting rising passenger and freight demands while bolstering regional trade and connectivity. The emphasis now lies on execution, continuous financing, and completing ML-1 as a unified Karachi-Peshawar route.
During his three-day visit to Mongolia for the CAREC International Conference, Iqbal also engaged with the CAREC Institute and met a delegation from Uzbekistan. His participation centered on infrastructure, trade, tourism, and regional connectivity initiatives designed to expand economic opportunities across the region.
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