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Pakistan Railways has officially announced the launch date for the long-awaited Main Line-I (ML-I) railway project, with construction set to begin from Karachi Port in July 2026. The project aims to modernize Pakistan’s rail network and significantly improve cargo transportation across the country.
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, during his visit to Karachi, confirmed that Pakistan Railways and the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) have finalized a joint operational strategy to enhance rail connectivity at the port. Speaking after a meeting with KPT Chairman Rear Admiral (retd) Shahid Ahmed, Abbasi said,
“The ML-I project will strengthen freight movement and improve coordination between ports and railways for efficient cargo handling.”
The project will initially focus on upgrading rail infrastructure connected to Karachi Port, including the 54-kilometer Karachi Port Pipri section, enabling faster and smoother cargo movement.
ML-I is Pakistan’s largest railway modernization initiative, designed to upgrade tracks, signaling systems, and stations between Karachi and Peshawar. The government aims to shift freight traffic from roads to rail to reduce logistics costs, fuel consumption, and road congestion, while boosting trade efficiency.
According to the minister, Pakistan Railways plans to expand its cargo handling capacity in the coming months. The ML-I upgrade is expected to play a critical role in supporting exports, improving port connectivity, and modernizing the national transport infrastructure in line with regional trade needs.
