ML-1 project: Railways ministry urged to finalise MoU with Sindh govt

A Senate standing committee has urged the Ministry of Railways to finalise a memorandum of understanding with the Sindh government as early as possible, so that work on the Main Line-1 (ML-1) project can begin. According to Business Recorder, the panel met in Islamabad on Monday under Senator Shahadat Awan and reviewed major infrastructure plans. These covered the revamp of 200-year-old tracks and the Main Line-2 (ML-2) project, which spans 1,254 kilometres using public-private partnership structures.

The committee also reviewed earlier recommendations and questioned 53 petrol pumps on railway property, which officials said operate in line with PPRA rules. Officials noted that rent rose to 10 percent from 8 percent after a 2023 policy update, but the panel wanted commercial rents re-evaluated and aligned with the law. It also pressed the ministry to hold internal inquiries and fix accountability for long-pending NAB and FIA cases dating to 2021.

On land, officials said 376 acres had been retrieved from illegal encroachments against a target of 13,000+ acres, and the committee asked for a feedback report within two months. The minister assured the panel that future transactions would be transparent and legally compliant. Theft of high-speed diesel has reportedly fallen to zero because fuel is now injected directly into train engines.