KARACHI – Pakistan is poised for a significant revival of its railway sector as the government seeks a $2 billion financing package from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to modernise the vital Karachi–Peshawar Main Line-1 (ML-1).
Years of neglect, stalled Chinese funding, and deteriorating infrastructure have undermined Pakistan Railways’ efficiency, with freight operations shrinking and costs rising sharply. The proposed ADB investment targets a 500-km upgrade from Karachi to Rohri, aiming to boost train speeds, reduce travel times and revive the railways as a reliable logistics network.
If realised, the modernisation would reinvigorate freight movement—including copper from the upcoming Reko Diq mine—enhance trade corridor capacity, and stimulate economic growth by lowering transport costs and creating jobs. However, experts emphasise that success hinges on transparent funding management and institutional reforms to ensure the project delivers lasting impact.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.