Work on $2.5bn ML-1 railway project to begin in January 2027

The initial phase of Pakistan's ambitious $2.5 billion Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project is slated to commence civil works in January 2027. Pakistan Railways (PR) is actively advancing market consultations and pre-bid preparations to adhere to the timeline set by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

PR has announced an online early market engagement session for September 8. This session aims to invite local and international civil works contractors, along with project design and monitoring consultants, to discuss project readiness, procurement strategies, and recent developments since March.

The first phase of the ML-1 project covers a 480-kilometer stretch from Karachi to Rohri. The project is anticipated to take up to three years to complete. Officials from a mission of five multilateral international lenders have surveyed the Karachi Railway Division, highlighting the project's significance for the region's connectivity.

"We are trying our level best to launch this proj," stated an official, underscoring the commitment to initiating the project within the stipulated timeframe. The acceleration of these preparatory processes signals a concerted effort to move forward with this critical infrastructure development.

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We are trying our level best to launch this proj