The 13th meeting of the Joint Working Committee on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) concluded with an agreement on the bidding process for the modernization of the Karachi to Peshawar railway line, known as ML-1.
Federal Minister for Planning announced that the ML-1 project’s bidding process has been agreed upon and will be finalized during the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to China. The project, with an estimated cost of $6.8 billion, will be completed in phases, ensuring a systematic upgrade of Pakistan’s key railway infrastructure.
The authorities further elaborated that the meeting also focused on enhancing cooperation in other sectors under CPEC’s second phase. This includes the completion of 1,800 MW hydropower projects and increased collaboration in agriculture, industry, and mining. These initiatives are expected to significantly boost Pakistan’s economic growth and infrastructure development.
The Planning Minister highlighted that the dues owed by Pakistan to Chinese power projects under CPEC have surpassed Rs. 500 billion. Despite these financial challenges, the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China remains strong, with China showing remarkable patience and support. “If it were any other country, they would have taken us to international arbitration by now,” remarked Iqbal, emphasizing the depth and resilience of the Pakistan-China relationship.
The ML-1 project is seen as a cornerstone of CPEC, aiming to revolutionize Pakistan’s railway system by reducing travel time, improving safety, and increasing the capacity of freight and passenger services. This modernization effort is expected to play a crucial role in bolstering Pakistan’s economy by facilitating smoother and more efficient transportation of goods and people across the country.