Pakistan Railways on Wednesday signed a commercial agreement with the National Logistics Corporation (NLC) and DP World for the construction of Phase-1 of the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) at Pipri, attracting foreign direct investment worth $400 million.
The signing ceremony was attended by Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, alongside senior representatives from NLC, DP World, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), and Pakistan Railways.
Officials said the project is designed to significantly increase freight-handling capacity by enabling faster cargo movement to and from Karachi Port, while reducing traffic bottlenecks on major roads and easing congestion at port terminals.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Abbasi hailed the initiative as a transformative step for the national railway system. He said it would not only modernize freight transport but also strengthen Pakistan Railways’ revenue base through freight charges, track access fees, and revenue-sharing agreements.
The minister expressed gratitude to NLC, DP World, and the Government of the United Arab Emirates for their partnership, describing the agreement as a milestone that marks “a new era for Pakistan Railways.”
