Main Line One (ML-1) project of Pakistan Railways is an important part of CPEC
A review meeting on the Main Line One (ML-1) project was held today in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar.
Supervisory Federal Ministers Shamshad Akhtar, Sami Saeed, Adviser to Prime Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Special Assistant Jahanzeb Khan and Mutala senior officials participated in the meeting. The meeting was informed about the various stages of completion of the ML-1 project and the constructive goals. The meeting was told that the planning regarding the project is in the final stages while the foundation stone of the project will be laid at the beginning of next year.
Prime Minister said Main Line One (ML-1) project of Pakistan Railways is an important part of CPEC and the government will ensure its completion on priority basis. Initiation of Main Line One project and railway reform is the first priority of the caretaker government. Main Line One project is of special importance in the development of communication infrastructure in Pakistan. During the construction of the project, special consideration should be given to the environmental impact. Main Line One project is a national project which will revolutionize the transport sector in the country. There is a wide potential for foreign investment in the railway sector in Pakistan. Pakistan Railways should be reformed to take full advantage of its capabilities. To ensure completion of main line one project goals within the stipulated time. Special attention should be given to transparency in the construction of the project. The completion of the project will create new employment opportunities in the country and the cost of delivery of goods will be extremely low. The completion of the project will reduce the travel cost and time required.
With the completion of the project, not only the communication links of Pakistan’s ports with the economic centers of the country will be improved, but also the purpose of transit route for other countries of the region will be fulfilled under CPEC. Supervisory Federal Ministers Shamshad Akhtar, Sami Saeed, Adviser to Prime Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Special Assistant Jahanzeb Khan and senior officials participated in the meeting.
The meeting was informed about the various stages of completion of the ML-1 project and the constructive goals. The meeting was told that the planning regarding the project is in the final stages while the foundation stone of the project will be laid at the beginning of next year. The meeting was further informed that the project will be constructed in two phases. In the first phase, 930 km railway line will be laid from Karachi to Multan. In this section, the railway infrastructure which came under the flood during 2022 will also be upgraded according to international standards. In the second phase, Multan to Peshawar will be a 796 km section. The meeting was further informed that the project is being made in such a way that in the future more innovations can be given to the railways as per the need.
In the meeting, the Prime Minister directed that the goals of the project should be completed within the stipulated time. The Prime Minister further directed that a comprehensive plan on the reforms of Pakistan Railways should be submitted soon so that the fruits of the ML-1 project can be fully benefited.
Editor: Raja Kamran