Pakistan, ADB Discuss Early Groundbreaking for ML-1 Railway Project
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasises the importance of modernising the railway corridor
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged for the swift commencement of the Main Line-1 railway upgrade, a key component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Discussions with the Asian Development Bank also covered the new Country Partnership Strategy 2026–2030.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged for an early start to the upgrade of Pakistan's Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway. This call was made during a meeting with Yingming Yang, Vice President for South, Central, and West Asia at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The discussions focused on modernising the ML-1 railway corridor, which stretches from Karachi to Peshawar. This project is a vital national infrastructure priority. It aims to enhance freight logistics, improve regional trade connectivity, and support industrial initiatives.
The ML-1 railway project plans to upgrade the existing 1,733 km railway line. This line passes through major cities including Kotri, Hyderabad, Rohri, Multan, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. It is a significant part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
New Partnership Strategy
The meeting also reviewed the long-term development partnership between Pakistan and the ADB. It focused on priority interventions under the new Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) 2026–2030. The Prime Minister highlighted Pakistan's economic recovery. He cited rigorous fiscal, structural, and governance reforms that have restored macroeconomic stability and reinforced investor confidence.
“These corrective actions have restored macroeconomic stability, reinforced investor confidence, and earned stable outlook upgrades from major international credit rating agencies including Fitch, Moody’s, and S&P,” the PMO statement noted.
Prime Minister Sharif reaffirmed the government's commitment to long-term economic transformation. He stated that administrative bottlenecks are being addressed through dedicated execution task forces.
Collaborative Avenues
The meeting also explored potential collaborations in the private sector, energy and food security, export competitiveness, and advancements in Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology.
The discussions concluded with a mutual commitment to translate the strategic priorities of the CPS 2026–2030 into tangible, high-impact results. These efforts aim to drive sustainable growth and improve the standard of living in Pakistan.
