PM Shehbaz directs fast-tracking of ML-1 upgrade

October 07, 2026 (MLN): PM Shehbaz Sharif has directed the authorities concerned to speed up work on the upgrade of the Main Line-1 (ML-1) project and approved the use of identified Pakistan Railways land, worth billions of rupees, to secure bank funding for its construction through commercial projects.

He also ordered corporate-style reforms in Pakistan Railways and asked for a comprehensive plan within two weeks that reflects the true commercial potential of the land.

The directives came while he chaired a meeting in Islamabad on reforms in Pakistan Railways and the ML-1 upgrade.

The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Hanif Abbasi, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Governor State Bank Jameel Ahmad, Chairman NAB Lieutenant General (Retd) Nazir Ahmad Butt and other relevant senior authorities, said a press release issued.

The PM praised teams from NAB and the Ministry of Railways, led by the NAB chairman, for identifying and recovering encroached railway land.

He described ML-1 modernization as key to the development of Pakistan Railways, better passenger facilities and expanded freight transport, and said its execution should proceed on a commercial basis.

He said there was a need to tap the commercial potential of railway properties, and that valuable railway land should be put to commercial use to support the national economy and the railway sector.

Making Pakistan Railways financially self-reliant through corporate-style reforms is among the government's priorities, he said, adding that the railways minister is working hard to turn the department into a profitable entity and improve its operations.

The meeting was briefed that the 1,726-kilometre ML-1 upgrade has been divided into four major sections: Karachi-Rohri, Rohri-Multan, Multan-Lahore and Lahore-Peshawar.

International financing is being used for the Karachi-Rohri section, while plans are being drawn up to finance the remaining sections through domestic resources.

Participants were also briefed on the construction stages of ML-1, progress on the Karachi-Rohri section and matters related to railway-owned land.

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