Federal Railway Minister Hanif Abbasi announced that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has revitalized the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) by resuming the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project, aiming to stimulate economic growth.
The ML-1 project, a cornerstone of CPEC, involves upgrading and doubling the 1,872-kilometer railway track from Karachi to Peshawar. This enhancement is expected to increase passenger train speeds from the current 65-110 km/h to 160 km/h and freight train speeds to 120 km/h. Additionally, the project includes implementing a computer-based signaling and control system, along with grade separations to ensure safer train operations.
In October 2024, Pakistan and China agreed to divide the $6.8 billion ML-1 project into two phases to manage its extensive scope and cost. Phase I, valued at $3.2 billion, is set to commence soon and will cover the Karachi-Hyderabad-Multan section. Phase II will extend from Multan to Peshawar, with a feasibility study planned following the completion of Phase I.
The previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government had halted progress on CPEC projects, including ML-1. Minister Abbasi criticized this move, asserting that such projects are vital for economic development and should not have been suspended.
The PML-N government’s decision to revive the ML-1 project underscores its commitment to enhancing Pakistan’s infrastructure and economic prospects. By modernizing the country’s railway system, the project aims to improve connectivity, facilitate trade, and create employment opportunities, thereby contributing to overall economic growth.
