ML-1 should be financed partly through commercialisation of railway land, says PM

Business Recorder reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz wants the Main Line-1 (ML-1) rail project financed partly by commercially using railway land that has been identified. The instruction came during a meeting in Islamabad that reviewed reforms at Pakistan Railways. He also asked officials to hasten ML-1 work and introduce corporate-style governance across the organisation.

The ML-1 upgrade is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and aims to modernise the existing line that runs from Peshawar to Karachi. According to the meeting, the Prime Minister stressed that the line would offer passengers better travel and boost freight movement. He added that the commercial value of railway property needs to be tapped, and that the land should contribute to the national economy and to the institution itself.

Several decisions and deadlines were set. The Prime Minister approved using bank funding for ML-1 construction through commercial projects on railway land and asked for a comprehensive plan within two weeks. Officials were told that international financing is covering the Karachi-Rohri section, while local resources are being planned for the remaining sections of the line, which are Rohri-Multan, Multan-Lahore and Lahore-Peshawar.