Asian Development Bank backs ML-1 modernisation

Dawn reported that the Asian Development Bank is close to finalising a $1.1 billion investment plan for the Karachi to Rohri section of ML-1, the main railway line run by Pakistan Railways. The programme aims to make the line more efficient and secure by 2040. A fact-finding mission from the bank is scheduled for January 2027 to go over the plans with federal and Sindh government officials.

Financing will come in several tranches to upgrade 480km of the line between Karachi and Rohri, which carries both passengers and freight. The package covers climate-resilient railway infrastructure, modernised signalling and operations, and capacity building for institutions. Of the total, $1bn is set to come from ordinary capital and $100m from concessional lending, and further tranches are under consideration.

Earlier this month, ADB Vice President Yingming Yang met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, where talks centred on modernising ML-1 from Karachi to Peshawar. Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi said the Karachi-Rohri upgrade is estimated at about $2.5bn and should be completed within three years, with the 183km Nawabshah-Rohri section to be taken up first. He asked the bank to speed up approval of the central investment loan, and Pakistan said it intends to keep working with the ADB and other partners to fund the Rohri to Peshawar sections.