Pakistan, ADB agree to expedite documentation for ML-1 Karachi-Rohri section

Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday agreed to expedite documentation and procedural requirements for the ML-1 Karachi-Rohri section to accelerate implementation of the railway project.

The understanding was reached during a high-level meeting chaired by Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema to review the implementation framework and progress on the project.

Secretary Economic Affairs Muhammad Humair Karim and Secretary Railways Mazhar Ali Shah briefed the meeting on ongoing preparatory work related to ML-1.

ADB Country Director Emma Fan and senior bank officials also attended the discussions.

Ahad Cheema directed the Ministry of Railways to speed up the documentation process in coordination with the ADB and the Economic Affairs Division.

He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wanted the groundbreaking ceremony of the ML-1 project to be held within the current year.

The minister said the government was aiming to secure ADB financing during the upcoming fiscal year and stressed that timely completion of documentation and procedural formalities would be critical for achieving that objective.

He also instructed the Ministry of Railways to coordinate closely with the Planning Division to ensure readiness of the PC-1 and other mandatory project requirements.

According to the minister, the government intends to move the project forward efficiently while maintaining transparency and avoiding procedural delays.

He described ML-1 as a major railway modernisation project that would improve freight movement and strengthen railway services across the country.

Ahad Cheema said the Karachi-Rohri section would be implemented regardless of challenges and added that the government was also engaging with other development partners for the remaining sections of the ML-1 project from Karachi to Peshawar.

ADB Country Director Emma Fan appreciated the efforts of the Economic Affairs Division and Ministry of Railways in advancing the project.

She reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to support the government in expediting documentation and procedural work and said the ADB would ensure timely hiring of the Project Readiness Financing consultant while seeking to reduce the project review timeline.