Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has called for complete modernization of Pakistan Railways' Main Line-1 to strengthen trade and regional connectivity.

He was addressing the Development Partners Dialogue on “Advancing Trade, Tourism and Regional Competitiveness” in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Highlighting Pakistan's ML-1 modernisation plan, the Minister said ML-1 is the backbone of Pakistan's railway network and carries the bulk of passenger and freight traffic.

He said modernization of the Karachi-Peshawar corridor would increase line capacity, improve train speeds and reduce travel time between Karachi and Rohri.

The Minister said the Karachi-Rohri section, costing around two-point-five billion dollars, is the most advanced component of the ML-1 modernization project, with the Asian Development Bank leading the financing effort.

Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan is also working on a financing mechanism for the remaining sections from Rohri to Peshawar, stressing that ML-1 should be completed as an integrated Karachi-Peshawar corridor.