ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for economic affairs, Ahad Cheema chaired a high level meeting to review progress on the ML-1 Karachi, Rohri railway section. Emma Fan, along with senior officials from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), also attended the meeting.
The meeting focused on the implementation framework and preparations for the major railway upgrade project.
Officials also discussed coordination with international development partners to move the work forward quickly. Muhammad Humair Karim and Mazhar Ali Shah briefed participants on the ongoing work and documentation process related to the ML-1 project.
During the meeting, Ahad Cheema directed the Ministry of Railways to speed up the documentation process in close coordination with the ADB and the Economic Affairs Division.
The minister said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wants the groundbreaking ceremony of the ML-1 project to take place within the current year. Cheema added that the government plans to secure ADB funding in the next fiscal year. He stressed that timely completion of paperwork and procedural requirements would be necessary to achieve this goal.
The minister also instructed the Ministry of Railways to work closely with the Planning Division to complete the PC-1 and other mandatory project requirements. He said the government is committed to moving the project forward efficiently while ensuring transparency and avoiding delays.
According to Ahad Cheema, the ML-1 project is a major national initiative that will improve freight transportation and strengthen railway services across Pakistan.Cheema said the Karachi–Rohri section will serve as the starting phase of the ML-1 project and will move forward under all circumstances.
He added that the government is also in contact with other development partners for the remaining sections of ML-1. Authorities aim to finalize agreements for the full railway route from Karachi to Peshawar.
ADB reaffirms support for ML-1:
ADB Country Director Emma Fan appreciated the efforts of the economic affairs division and the ministry of railways in advancing the project. She confirmed ADB’s continued support for the project and said the bank would help speed up documentation and approval procedures.
Emma Fan also said ADB would ensure the timely hiring of the Project Readiness Financing (PRF) consultant and work to reduce the project review timeline for faster implementation.
