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The Railway Division submitted the ML-I project summary to ECNEC without arranging funding from the Public Sector Development Program, China or any other international financial institution. Photo: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
Work on the Main Line-I (ML-I) project will begin from Karachi Port in July 2026, Railway Minister Hanif Abbasi announced on Tuesday.
The ML-1 initiative aims to renovate and modernize key railway infrastructure, improving freight and passenger connections between Karachi and Peshawar.
Last month, during a Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) project review meeting, it was announced that the project would begin in July this year.
During his recent visit to Karachi and a meeting with Rear Admiral (retd) Shahid Ahmed, Chairman of Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Abbasi said a joint strategy had been finalized to improve logistics and cargo handling performance of the port.
Both sides agreed to strengthen the railway system to ensure efficient transportation of goods from Karachi port, said a statement issued on Tuesday.
The minister presented important reform initiatives in the freight transport sector, emphasizing that serious efforts are underway to shift freight transport from road to rail to improve efficiency and reduce logistics costs.
He said Pakistan Railways would significantly increase its cargo handling capacity in the coming months. Under this initiative, the railway infrastructure connected to the Karachi port will be modernized and made more efficient.
Abbasi further announced that the 54 kilometer railway stretch between KPT and Pipri would be upgraded to facilitate faster and smoother movement of goods.
