Pakistan Railways targets 20% freight share after ML-1 upgrade

Pakistan Railways has endorsed a reform plan under which its share of national freight traffic would rise from around 8% at present to nearly 20%, once the Main Line-1 (ML-1) upgrade is complete. Mettis Global reported the approval, which also covers better passenger services and a wider role for private companies in the network. Pakistan Railways is aiming to make the railways more efficient and financially self-sustaining.

The roadmap centres on moving more coal, containers, cement, fertilisers, rock phosphate and other bulk goods by rail, according to a press release cited in the report. Reforms also include infrastructure work to upgrade passenger facilities and speed up digital systems across the network. Greater private participation is intended to make services more customer-focused.

The publisher notes that expanding freight could shift more bulk and container cargo from road transport onto rail, strengthening the railways' place in national logistics. The ML-1 upgrade is expected to supply the infrastructure needed for heavier freight volumes and to improve the commercial viability of the network.