Work on the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project is expected to begin in July 2026, with construction scheduled to start from Karachi Port, Railways Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi announced on Tuesday. The project, which aims to upgrade and modernise the key north-south rail corridor, will initially focus on improving the 54-kilometre section from the port to Pipri to facilitate smoother cargo movement and strengthen freight connectivity.
Abbasi made the announcement during a meeting with Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Chairman Rear Admiral (Retd) Shahid Ahmed, where both sides also discussed measures to shift a greater share of cargo transport from roads to rail to alleviate congestion around the port and improve logistics efficiency. Plans were outlined to operate at least four freight trains daily before the project’s main work begins, as part of broader reforms to enhance Pakistan Railways’ cargo handling capacity.
Officials emphasised that upgrading the ML-1 line which connects Karachi to Peshawar will reduce logistics costs, improve transit times for passengers and goods, and support economic growth by bolstering trade infrastructure. The groundbreaking is expected to mark a major advancement in Pakistan’s transport network under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) framework.