LAHORE (Kashmir English): Pakistan Railways flagship Main Line-1 (ML-1) project has moved closer to groundbreaking, with the government setting October 30, 2026 as the deadline for completion of the review phase and deciding to launch the second round of market consultation next month.
The decisions are expected to pave the way for the formal launch of the long-delayed railway modernization project as they are likely to clear the remaining technical and procedural issues.
According to media reports, the second phase of market consultation will begin on September 8, in which potential stakeholders and international experts will be consulted on project preparation, implementation and the way forward.
Chairing a high-level meeting on the project at the railway headquarters on Saturday, PR Chairman Syed Mazhar Ali Shah directed international design consultants, review consultants and senior railway officials to maintain close coordination and ensure continuous progress.
He also ordered weekly reviews of the project so that delays and outstanding issues could be addressed promptly.
It is to mention here that the the Karachi-Rohri section has been identified as the first phase of the ML-1 project.
According to official documents, the 480-kilometre Karachi-Rohri section upgradation has an estimated cost of $2.04 billion, with construction planned over three years.
ML-1 project
The ML-1 project envisages upgrading the 1,726-km Karachi-Peshawar railway corridor in five sections. The Karachi-Rohri section is followed by Rohri-Multan, Multan-Lahore, Lahore-Rawalpindi and Rawalpindi-Peshawar.
