Pakistan is set to move ahead with key financing arrangements for the Karachi–Rohri section of the Main Line-1 railway project, as authorities push to launch construction work and hold a groundbreaking ceremony within this year.
The government is working to secure funding from the Asian Development Bank in the upcoming fiscal year for the initial phase of the project, which officials describe as a starting point of the wider Karachi-to-Peshawar rail corridor.
Push to begin early construction
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema chaired a high-level meeting to review progress on the project’s implementation framework. He said the Karachi–Rohri section would be carried out without delay and remains a key priority for the government.
Officials said the aim is to complete preparatory work in time to allow a groundbreaking ceremony before the end of the year, in line with directions from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is keen to see early progress on the long-delayed rail upgrade.
Financing and coordination efforts
The proposed financing package for the Karachi–Rohri segment is expected to be around USD 1.2 billion. The government is also in talks with other development partners to help fund the remaining sections of the Main Line-1 corridor, which is planned to run from Karachi to Peshawar.
Senior officials from the Economic Affairs Division and the Ministry of Railways briefed the meeting on ongoing preparations, documentation work and project readiness.
The minister directed departments to speed up coordination with the Asian Development Bank and ensure all required approvals, including the project concept-1 document, are completed on time.
ADB support and next steps
Asian Development Bank Country Director Emma Fan and other senior officials also attended the meeting. The Bank reaffirmed its support for the project and assured that it would help fast-track documentation and reduce review timelines to support quicker implementation.
Officials said the Karachi–Rohri section will act as the first phase of the broader ML-1 upgrade, which is expected to improve freight movement and strengthen Pakistan’s railway network once completed.
The government has described the project as a major infrastructure push aimed at modernising rail services and improving long-distance connectivity across the country.
Read next: ADB report: 80pc of Pakistanis lack access to fresh water
