The government’s recent effort to explore alternative financing for the Karachi–Peshawar Main Line‑1 railway project, after Chinese funding failed to materialise, is a welcome sign of movement on a scheme that has been stalled for years. Yet the outcome of Friday’s review meeting on the proposed Rohri–Multan section, estimated to cost over Rs450bn, revealed how far the project remains from readiness. The fact that senior bureaucrats sent junior representatives instead of attending themselves suggests that the administration does not expect the project to advance in the near future. More tellingly, the planning minister’s committee declined to clear the Frontier Works Organisation’s proposal, citing incomplete details, and ordered an independent audit of the costing prepared by the organisation.
This episode highlights a troubling reality: after nearly a decade of promoting ML‑1 as a flagship transport project, the government is still struggling to assemble basic figures such as construction costs, rolling‑stock requirements, and revenue potential. ML‑1 is not just another railway line. It is the backbone of Pakistan’s transport network, linking Karachi’s ports to the rest of the country. Its condition directly affects the cost of moving goods to and from the port. A modernised line would reduce freight transit times, lower logistics costs, and improve the competitiveness of exports. It would also provide safer and more comfortable passenger travel, addressing concerns about deteriorating tracks that have been linked to accidents. Every year that ML‑1 remains unbuilt, Pakistan pays more to trade and forces its citizens to travel on unsafe infrastructure.
The meeting confirmed what many had already suspected: Beijing’s promised financing for ML‑1 is no longer forthcoming. For years, the project was pitched as a cornerstone of Chinese investment under CPEC. Now, with that support absent, the government is scrambling to fill the funding gap. Whether it can succeed remains uncertain. The lack of seriousness displayed at the review meeting suggests that planners have yet to develop a credible roadmap. Without clarity on costs, revenue streams, and operational requirements, securing alternative financing will be nearly impossible.
The stakes are high. ML‑1 is central to Pakistan’s economic future. Its modernisation would transform freight movement, reduce accidents, and create efficiencies across the supply chain. Yet the project continues to languish in bureaucratic indecision and political hesitation. If the government is serious about delivering on its promises, it must move beyond incomplete proposals and half‑hearted reviews. A transparent, well‑audited plan is essential to attract investors and convince stakeholders of the project’s viability.
Pakistan cannot afford further delays. The longer ML‑1 remains on paper, the greater the economic cost and the higher the risk to public safety. The government must demonstrate the political will to confront these challenges, finalise credible plans, and secure financing. Only then can ML‑1 move from aspiration to reality, fulfilling its role as the backbone of the nation’s transport system.
Also Read: Healthcare system failure
Today's E-Paper