The federal cabinet on Friday approved resumption of negotiations on the Financial Commitment Agreement between China and Pakistan Railways to upgrade the long-awaited Mainline-1 (ML-1) project, considered a key component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the cabinet directed authorities concerned to provide it with the final agreement on the railway project for approval. A key infrastructure project, ML-1 is part of the second phase of CPEC, which the federal government allocated funds for in the budget for fiscal year 2024-25.
The project comprises three phases and totals 1,726km in length. Once implemented, it aims to considerably improve the logistics performance of the country. The upgraded track is designed for trains operating at a maximum of 160km/hr and has an operational speed of 120km/hr. Additionally, the upgrade would enhance the existing line capacity of ML-1 from 34 to 120 trains per day, consequently boosting its passenger handling capacity from 29 million to 170 million, and freight capacity from 8 to 43 million tons.
During the meeting, the prime minister also briefed the cabinet on his visit to Quetta a day earlier, noting ongoing efforts to expand the capacity of the province’s law enforcement agencies. “This is for sure … the armed forces and the law enforcement agencies will collectively make them [terrorists] an example. Without this, the country’s journey of progress and prosperity cannot be accomplished. We have unity of thought and action on this,” he said, adding that both the provincial government and Balochistan’s political leaders unanimously rejected any talks with anti-state elements.
He further said the Quetta Corps Commander have given a presentation on challenges facing Balochistan, faced by Balochistan and how terrorists, funded by foreign forces, were sowing hatred against Pakistan among the people. He said the civilian government was taking effective measures for the youth’s uplift, adding the federal government would allocate a 10% additional quota for Balochistan in schemes like laptops and agricultural training in China. Additionally, he said, the federal government would spend Rs. 55 billion to solarize agricultural tube wells in Balochistan.
Sharif also noted that the Moody’s Investors Service had recently upgraded Pakistan’s rating to indicate the country’s improving economic condition. “This is a long journey. This yet needs more concerted efforts to improve the economy. The whole nation, including the provincial governments, are united on this,” he said, adding the federal government would soon unveil its five-year Homegrown Economic Revival Plan aimed at boosting exports, agriculture, industry, youth’s uplift, skill and vocational training.