LAHORE: Pakistan Railways is moving ahead with preparations for the first phase of the $2.5 billion Main Line-1 (ML-1) project, with civil works expected to begin in January 2027 under the government’s accelerated implementation plan.
The first phase will focus on the 480-kilometre Karachi-Rohri railway corridor, where new tracks will be constructed alongside safety fencing to prevent unauthorised access. The project is expected to take around two-and-a-half to three years to complete.
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi said the department was making every effort to meet the January deadline set by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He noted that consultations with contractors and consultants, international tendering, bidding, shortlisting and contract awards could take four to five months, but the government was determined to keep the project on schedule.
Pakistan Railways has scheduled an online market engagement session for September 8 with local and international contractors, consultants and other stakeholders. The discussions will focus on project readiness, procurement, technical requirements, contract packages, qualification criteria, risk allocation and construction while railway operations continue.
The Karachi-Rohri section has been prioritised because it carries a major share of the country’s railway traffic and includes stretches affected by deteriorating infrastructure and frequent accidents. Once upgraded, the corridor is expected to allow trains to operate at speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour.
The project will include track reconstruction, selected realignments, bridges, culverts, stations, freight facilities and other infrastructure along the Keamari-Landhi-Hyderabad, Hyderabad-Nawabshah and Nawabshah-Rohri sections. Upgrades to signalling, telecommunications and Walton Academy are also part of the broader plan.
The Asian Development Bank is expected to finance the project, while Pakistan is also exploring co-financing from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, World Bank, Islamic Development Bank and other partners.
A meeting at Pakistan Railways headquarters reviewed preparations for the Karachi-Rohri upgrade, with Railway Board Chairman Syed Mazhar Ali Shah directing officials to complete the project review by October 30, 2026. Weekly monitoring of progress was also ordered.
Officials said international expertise and market feedback would be incorporated into the project to improve its efficiency, sustainability and technical viability. Authorities also pledged to maintain transparency, competitiveness and merit throughout the procurement and implementation process.
The government sees ML-1 as a key step towards modernising Pakistan’s railway network, improving passenger services, increasing freight efficiency and strengthening connectivity between major population centres and industrial areas.
