Islamabad Prioritizes Completion of ML-1 Railway Project in Ongoing CPEC Developments

Islamabad, Minister for Planning Professor Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the ML-1 Railway project as a crucial priority for the government, aiming to bolster economic growth and development through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Minister’s remarks came during a preparatory meeting for the upcoming 13th Joint Cooperation Committee and a high-level delegation visit to China. The ML-1 project, part of the broader CPEC initiative, has seen Pakistan receiving substantial Chinese investments totaling around twenty-five billion dollars from 2013 to 2018, enhancing sectors like energy, infrastructure, and telecommunications.

The minister discussed the resurgence of these investments after a period of lull during the previous administration, with current efforts successfully restoring confidence in Sino-Pak relations. The upcoming phases of CPEC will focus on economic corridors that promise job creation, innovation, and sustainable development, aligned with Pakistan’s strategic development goals.

This meeting also set the stage for discussing potential projects and strategies for the Prime Minister’s forthcoming visit to China, where discussions will aim to finalize joint ventures and cooperative agreements. The ML-1 Railway Line, upgrading the Karakoram Highway, and new projects like Gwadar Airport and the Orange Line are all on the agenda, with the aim of enhancing bilateral benefits and regional connectivity.

Minister Iqbal emphasized the importance of meticulous preparations for these discussions, ensuring that all projects align with Pakistan’s developmental vision and offer mutual benefits. He urged ministries to prepare detailed reports and proposals to maximize outcomes from the forthcoming diplomatic engagements.