The Secretary of Railways, Syed Mazhar Ali Shah, stated on Sunday that the Main Line-I (ML-1) project in Pakistan is poised to bring a transformative change to the transportation sector, serving as a game-changer and significantly increasing the revenue of Pakistan Railways. Speaking to a delegation of technical experts from China’s National Railway Administration (NRA), Shah emphasized the project’s vital importance for the country’s social and economic progress.
The visit by the NRA experts aimed to assess the progress of the ML-1 project and expedite its implementation. Shah highlighted the significance of collaboration with China, referring to them as a close friend and partner, often termed Pakistan’s ‘Iron Brother.’ The NRA pledged close collaboration with Pakistan Railways to initiate ground operations for the ML-I project.
The Chinese government assured full support for the ML-1 project, and both countries committed to working together for its swift completion. The ML-1 project is expected to revolutionize Pakistan’s railway system, and the collaboration signifies a joint effort to realize the project’s transformative potential.
In a related development, the CEO of Pakistan Railways, Amir Baloch, urged swift action from China’s authorities on the ML-1 project. The call was made during the reception of a high-level delegation from China’s National Railway Administration. The delegation, led by Zhu Mengrui, expressed full support and commitment to the timely initiation of the ML-1 project. Baloch emphasized the project as a game-changer that will revolutionize Pakistan’s transport and boost revenue in the freight sector. Mengrui assured collaborative efforts to address all aspects, including financing schemes and design proposals, marking a significant step towards enhancing economic ties and reducing transportation costs with the establishment of economic zones linked to ML-1.
