ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is finalising a $1.1 billion investment programme to upgrade Pakistan Railways’ Main Line-1 (ML-1) between Karachi and Rohri.
The programme aims to improve railway efficiency, safety and sustainability by 2040.
An ADB fact-finding mission is planned for January 2027. It will discuss and assess project details with the federal and Sindh governments.
The mission will review environmental and social risks, labour conditions, resource conservation and pollution prevention. It will also assess land acquisition, biodiversity, cultural heritage and climate change impacts.
$1.1 Billion Multi-Tranche Financing
The proposed facility will support the upgrading of the 480-kilometre Karachi-Rohri section of ML-1, a major passenger and freight corridor.
It will fund climate-resilient railway infrastructure, modern signalling and operational systems. The programme will also support institutional reforms and capacity building.
According to project details, the financing will include:
- $1 billion from ADB’s ordinary capital resources.
- $100 million from concessional ordinary capital resources lending.
The investment aims to improve national and regional connectivity, logistics efficiency and Pakistan’s economic competitiveness.
ADB’s project document says the programme seeks to establish a fast, safe, reliable, affordable and environmentally sustainable railway system.
The bank is already supporting Pakistan Railways’ transformation through ML-1 project-readiness financing approved in 2025. It is also considering follow-on multi-tranche financing alongside capacity building and governance reforms.
PM Shehbaz Discusses ML-1 Modernisation With ADB
Earlier this month, ADB Vice President for South, Central and West Asia Yingming Yang visited Islamabad.
He met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the railways minister and other senior government officials.
The discussions focused on modernising ML-1 from Karachi to Peshawar, a major national infrastructure priority.
The prime minister said upgrading the railway corridor was essential to modernise freight logistics, strengthen regional trade links and support industrial development.
The meeting also highlighted the need to begin work early to advance infrastructure development and improve connectivity.
Karachi-Rohri Project Estimated at $2.5 Billion
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi told the ADB vice president that the Karachi-Rohri upgrade is estimated to cost around $2.5 billion.
The government aims to complete the project within three years.
Abbasi said the 183-kilometre Nawabshah-Rohri section would receive priority under the prime minister’s directions.
He also asked the ADB to expedite approval of the central investment loan.
Pakistan intends to continue working with the ADB and other development partners to finance the remaining ML-1 sections from Rohri to Peshawar.
