Pakistan has officially commenced construction of the Pipri Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) and Multimodal Logistics Park, a key infrastructure initiative aligned with the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) aimed at enhancing freight connectivity from Karachi’s seaports to inland markets and onwards to China and Central Asia.
The groundbreaking ceremony saw participation from Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi, DP World Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, senior representatives from the National Logistics Corporation (NLC), Pakistan Railways, and port operators. The project, led by DP World in collaboration with Pakistan Railways and NLC, is backed by an estimated $400 million in foreign direct investment and is expected to deliver substantial logistical and economic benefits.
Phase one of the project involves rehabilitating a 52-kilometre railway line linking Karachi Port with the Pipri Marshalling Yard and establishing a modern multimodal logistics park. This integrated hub will combine rail, road, and port operations with facilities for warehousing, cargo handling, and value-added services, targeting completion within four months.
Once operational, the corridor will shift container traffic from road to rail, reducing congestion at Karachi Port, lowering logistics costs and transit times, decreasing carbon emissions, and extending the lifespan of road infrastructure. Import containers will be transported directly from Karachi to Pipri by rail and dispatched to destinations across Pakistan, China, Central Asia, and other regional markets, with exports following the reverse route.
DP World’s leadership highlighted that integrating multimodal infrastructure will improve trade flow efficiency, support sustainable logistics solutions, and reinforce Pakistan’s strategic role as a regional trade gateway.