Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for an early groundbreaking of the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project, describing the modernisation of the Karachi-Peshawar rail corridor as an important priority for Pakistan’s transport and logistics network.
The prime minister made the remarks during a meeting with Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice President Yingming Yang in Islamabad on September 4, where both sides discussed infrastructure development and Pakistan’s broader partnership with the bank.
ML-1 involves the planned modernisation of the existing railway line between Karachi and Peshawar, including track upgrades and improvements aimed at increasing train speeds and freight-handling capacity. The Karachi-Rohri section is already backed by approximately $2 billion in ADB financing, while the wider project has faced delays over funding and implementation challenges.
The government is targeting the resumption of work on the broader project in early 2027, although no specific groundbreaking date has yet been confirmed.
Potential Impact on Property
A modernised ML-1 could strengthen connectivity between major commercial and industrial centres, potentially increasing demand for warehouses, logistics facilities, industrial land and commercial property along key sections of the corridor.
For property investors, however, the potential benefits will depend on actual construction progress, financing and the eventual completion of the planned railway upgrades. The prime minister’s latest statement signals renewed momentum, but does not yet confirm an immediate start of construction.
