Work on the long-awaited Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project is expected to begin in July 2026, starting from the Karachi Port, Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi said on Tuesday. The project is aimed at upgrading and modernising Pakistan’s most important railway corridor to improve freight and passenger connectivity from Karachi to Peshawar.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Railways, the minister shared the timeline during a meeting with Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Chairman Rear Admiral (retd) Shahid Ahmed on January 9. Abbasi said construction under the ML-1 project would commence from Karachi, highlighting the port’s strategic importance in the country’s trade and logistics network.
During the meeting, Abbasi informed the KPT chairman that a 54-kilometre railway section from the Karachi Port to Pipri would be upgraded as part of the project. The upgrade is intended to ensure smoother and more efficient movement of cargo between the port and inland destinations.
Reduction of congestion at KPT and the surrounding road networks also came under discussion, with the suggestion of shifting “a larger share of cargo transportation from roads to rail”. https://t.co/PoRyT3KD4w
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) January 13, 2026
Both sides discussed measures to strengthen the railway system for cargo transportation from the Karachi Port, with a particular focus on reducing congestion at the port and surrounding road networks. One of the key proposals discussed was shifting a larger share of cargo movement from road transport to rail.
“Both sides agreed that rail-based freight transport is a cost-effective and sustainable solution to improve logistics efficiency and support trade activities,” the press release stated.
The minister also outlined broader reforms aimed at enhancing the freight handling capacity of Pakistan Railways. Emphasising the role of Karachi Port in national and international trade, Abbasi called for closer coordination between Pakistan Railways and the KPT to improve port logistics and overall operational efficiency.
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He further said that Pakistan Railways plans to operate at least four freight trains daily within the next five months, with priority given to the transportation of bulk cargo. These measures, he added, are part of efforts to revitalise the railways’ role in freight movement and reduce reliance on road transport.
The KPT chairman assured full cooperation with Pakistan Railways and shared plans to upgrade the port’s internal railway tracks. Both sides agreed that improved rail connectivity would help lower logistics costs, reduce pressure on roads and ports, improve turnaround times and contribute to the growth of trade, industry and the national economy.
The ML-1 project has long been identified as a critical infrastructure initiative. In August 2025, the Senate Standing Committee on Railways had recommended expediting work on the project. At the time, railway officials told the committee that ML-1 was among Pakistan Railways’ top priorities, as it serves as the central railway artery linking Karachi with the rest of the country.
Officials reiterated that work would begin from Karachi to ensure early operational impact and faster integration with port-based cargo movement.
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