Minister fast-tracks ML-1 Railway Project

May 21, 2024 (MLN): Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday underscored the urgent need to initiate the bidding process for Pakistan Railways’ flagship project — Main Line-1 (ML-1) and establish a clear timeline for its commencement, said a press release issued by the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives revealed.

ML-1 project is being executed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as both countries had also signed an addendum to the CPEC’s framework agreement.

During a review meeting on CPEC Phase 2 and the upcoming 13th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) session, he directed officials to expedite efforts to finalize the Mineral Corridor agreement during this session.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, also focused on organizing sub-working group meetings with Chinese officials to advance discussions on the Mineral Corridor projects. Iqbal emphasized the strategic importance of these initiatives, aiming to bolster economic ties and infrastructure development between Pakistan and China.

Addressing security concerns, Minister Iqbal assured that the protection of Chinese personnel working on CPEC projects remains a top priority for the Government of Pakistan.

"Ensuring the safety of Chinese citizens and projects is paramount. A comprehensive security strategy has been formulated, and Pakistan is committed to implementing effective measures to safeguard Chinese nationals," he stated.

The review meeting was attended by the Additional Secretary of the Ministry, senior officials from various federal and provincial ministries, and representatives from different sectors.

They received a detailed briefing on the preparations for the forthcoming online JCC meeting, scheduled for this week. Discussions encompassed a wide array of projects, including those related to communications, infrastructure, energy, economic development, agriculture, and the security of Chinese officials in Pakistan.

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