Federal Minister for Pakistan Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said an agreement for the ML-1 project had been finalised with the Asian Development Bank, calling it a major step toward modernising the rail network.
During a meeting in Islamabad with ADB Director General Leah Gutierrez and Defence Secretary Lt Gen Muhammad Ali, Abbasi said steps were being taken to advance the project, which he wants completed as early as possible.
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The meeting was also attended by Secretary Power Division Dr Fakhar Alam Irfan and Director General of the National Logistics Cell, Major General Farrukh Shehzad Rao.
Abbasi said Pakistan’s first “Safe and Smart Railway Station” had been set up in Rawalpindi with an AI-based monitoring system and 184 surveillance cameras.
He added that a Rail Tag system allowing real-time tracking of trains and rolling stock had been introduced, which he said would improve transparency and efficiency.
According to the ministry, about 70% of passenger footfall is covered by free Wi-Fi at major stations, and ATMs have been installed to support electronic payments.
Officials described ML-1 as the central rail corridor, saying it carries about 80% of passenger traffic and 90% of freight nationwide, and argued that ageing infrastructure requires urgent upgrades.
Defence Secretary Lt Gen Muhammad Ali and other officials noted the ministry’s reform initiatives and acknowledged efforts to improve Pakistan Railways.
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The meeting ended with an understanding to continue institutional cooperation and coordination on rail projects. Officials said the groundbreaking ceremony for the Karachi–Rohri section of ML-1 is planned for July 2026.
Earlier, experts from the Asian Development Bank have already carried out on-ground inspections of the Karachi–Rohri section and reviewed existing infrastructure as part of a fact-finding exercise to assess financing options. Officials say the section carries most freight and passenger traffic.Latest News, Breaking News & Top News Stories | The Express TribuneWeb DeskRead More
