Expansion
Pakistan Railways to Build $2.5 Billion Karachi-Rohri Track as First Phase of ML-1
By News Desk ·
Key takeaways
- Pakistan Railways will build a 480-kilometre track between Karachi and Rohri as the first phase of the ML-1 project, at a cost of $2.5 billion.
- Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi said the network recorded 349 derailments between January 2022 and September 2026, with faulty tracks the leading cause.
- Civil work on the first phase is likely to begin in January 2027, with market consultations and pre-bid preparations under way.
Pakistan Railways will build a 480-kilometre track between Karachi and Rohri as the first phase of the ML-1 project, at a cost of $2.5 billion, Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi told the National Assembly. Propakistani reported the announcement on October 23, 2026.
Abbasi Details the Karachi-Rohri Track Plan
Abbasi said civil work on the first phase is likely to begin in January 2027. Pakistan Railways is accelerating market consultations, pre-bid preparations and other processes to meet the timeline set by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The Karachi-Rohri and Rohri-Multan sections are among the most accident-prone parts of the railway network, with ageing tracks contributing to derailments and requiring frequent, costly repairs. Pakistan Railways has selected the Karachi-Rohri section for the initial phase of the ML-1 project.
Abbasi said the railway network recorded 349 train derailments between January 2022 and September 2026, with faulty tracks identified as the leading cause. Staff errors accounted for 95 derailments, while 64 were attributed to defects in rolling stock. Investigations into 331 incidents had been completed, while 120 cases remained pending.
Pakistan Railways' Scale and Recent Partnerships
Pakistan Railways is the state-owned national railway carrier of Pakistan, operating 5,048 route miles of passenger and freight services across 200 freight stations and two major sea ports, according to akta.pro company records. The carrier was founded in 1947 and is headquartered in Lahore.
Company records show Pakistan Railways signed a memorandum of understanding with Allied Bank Limited in July 2024 for cooperation in banking and financial services related to railway operations, chaired by Federal Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi. In the same month, it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Punjab Information Technology Board for digitalization of railway operations and services.
Earlier Moves on the Network
On October 16, 2026, Pakistan Railways inaugurated a refurbished Millat Express train at Faisalabad Railway Station, Propakistani reported. CEO Muhammad Hafeezullah said all three rakes were refurbished, with one inaugurated, and the train runs between Lalamusa and Karachi via Faisalabad.
On October 5, 2026, Pakistan Railways said it would outsource four major passenger trains, Millat, Awam, Mianwali and Karakoram Express, to the private sector that month, TechJuice reported. On September 28, 2026, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal presented Pakistan's ML-1 modernization plan at a Mongolia dialogue, aiming to boost trade and freight capacity, Propakistani reported.
What Comes Next for the ML-1 Phase
Civil work on the Karachi-Rohri section is likely to begin in January 2027, according to the timeline Abbasi gave the National Assembly.