Islamabad – Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi has confirmed that construction on the Main Line-I (ML-I) project will kick off from Karachi Port in July 2026. The move is part of a broader push to upgrade Pakistan’s railway network and shift more freight from roads to rail.
The announcement came after Abbasi met with Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Chairman Rear Admiral (retd) Shahid Ahmed in Karachi. Both sides agreed on a joint plan to improve rail links at the port and make cargo handling more efficient.
Abbasi explained that the ML-I upgrade will cover the full line from Karachi to Peshawar. It focuses on better tracks, signaling, and stations to handle more passengers and goods. The immediate work will target the rail connection to Karachi Port, including a 54-kilometer stretch to Pipri. Officials expect this to allow quicker and smoother movement of freight.
The government wants to reduce pressure on roads by moving more cargo to trains. This should cut logistics costs, ease road congestion, and lower fuel use. Abbasi said Pakistan Railways plans to increase its freight capacity soon. He added that the railway aims to run at least four freight trains daily in the next five months, with a focus on bulk cargo.
KPT Chairman Shahid Ahmed said the port would prioritize bulk cargo by rail and upgrade its own internal tracks to support better operations. Both Pakistan Railways and KPT stressed the need for close teamwork to boost the port’s role in national and international trade.
The ML-I project stands as Pakistan Railways’ biggest modernization effort. It handles a large share of the country’s passenger and freight traffic. Recent talks with the Asian Development Bank have set the stage for groundbreaking on the Karachi to Rohri section around the same July 2026 timeline.
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This development signals progress on long-delayed rail improvements. Authorities hope the changes will strengthen trade routes, cut transport costs, and support economic growth.
