Premier presses ADB official for early launch of ML-1 upgrade
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday discussed options for launching the long-awaited, multibillion-rupee Main Line-1 railway upgrade with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), stressing the need for early groundbreaking of the Karachi-Peshawar corridor.
The project came under discussion when the prime minister hosted a breakfast meeting in honour of ADB Vice President for South, Central and West Asia Yingming Yang.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting reviewed Pakistan’s multi-decade development partnership with the ADB and discussed priority interventions under the new Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) 2026-30.
Welcoming Mr Yang on his first official visit to Pakistan in his current capacity, PM Shehbaz appreciated ADB’s support for urban infrastructure, transport and public service projects in the country.
He said Pakistan had achieved a difficult economic turnaround through fiscal, structural and governance reforms, which had helped restore macroeconomic stability and investor confidence.
He said the country had also received improved sovereign rating assessments from major international credit rating agencies, including Fitch, Moody’s and S&P.
A central focus of the talks was the modernisation of the Main Line-1 railway corridor from Karachi to Peshawar, which the government considers a key national infrastructure priority.
PM Shehbaz said upgrading ML-1 was essential for modernising freight logistics, strengthening regional trade connectivity and supporting major industrial initiatives.
The meeting discussed the need for early groundbreaking of the project to improve infrastructure and connectivity.
The two sides also explored expanded cooperation in private-sector development, energy security, food security, export competitiveness, artificial intelligence and information technology.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to translate priorities under the CPS 2026-30 into concrete projects aimed at supporting sustainable growth and improving public services.