KARACHI: A high-level mission from the Asian Development Bank has reassured Pakistani authorities of its commitment to prioritising the Karachi–Rohri rail corridor under the Main Line-1 (ML-1) framework, recognising its strategic importance for national logistics and future mineral exports. The corridor is viewed as a critical link for transporting copper and gold from the multi-billion-dollar Reko Diq project to Pakistan’s seaports, significantly strengthening the country’s export and supply chain capacity.
According to official details, a 10-member ADB reconnaissance mission visited Karachi on Thursday to assess existing port-rail connectivity and logistics infrastructure. The mission was led by Suenghyun Kim, senior transport specialist at the Asian Development Bank. As part of the visit, the delegation held detailed discussions with officials at the Karachi Port Trust and reviewed the current state of inland cargo movement from the port.
The government has already secured USD 2 billion in financing from the ADB for the ML-1 project, with completion targeted before December 2028. The Karachi–Rohri section has been identified as a priority component within the broader ML-1 framework due to its role in linking ports with industrial zones, mining projects and inland consumption centres.
Chairman Karachi Port Trust Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed (Retd) briefed the ADB delegation on the port’s cargo-handling capacity and its central role as Pakistan’s primary maritime gateway. He emphasised that while Karachi Port operates on a 24-hour basis, limitations in inland cargo movement infrastructure have created serious bottlenecks, undermining efficiency and increasing costs for businesses.
At present, all cargo movement from Karachi Port relies entirely on road-based trailers. This dependence has contributed to severe traffic congestion in the city and heightened road safety risks. The situation is further compounded by operational restrictions that prohibit trailer movement from the port until after 11:00 PM, despite continuous port operations throughout the day. These constraints, according to KPT officials, have resulted in significant delays in cargo trans-shipment and reduced overall logistical efficiency.
The proposed enhancement of rail connectivity under the ML-1 project is expected to address these challenges by enabling containerised and bulk cargo to be dispatched directly from the port on a round-the-clock basis. This shift is anticipated to reduce pressure on urban roads, lower transportation costs, and improve turnaround times for cargo handlers and shipping lines.
Major terminal operators at Karachi Port, including South Asia Pakistan Terminals Limited, Karachi Gateway Terminal and Karachi Gateway Multipurpose Terminal, are expected to be among the primary beneficiaries of improved rail connectivity. Enhanced access to rail transport is projected to increase throughput, optimise yard operations and improve overall terminal efficiency, making Karachi Port more competitive regionally.
During the discussions, KPT officials also highlighted ongoing development initiatives aimed at strengthening the port’s long-term capacity. These include dredging operations to increase draught depth, allowing larger vessels to berth, and efforts to improve multimodal integration between the port, terminal operators and inland transport networks. Such measures are intended to complement the ML-1 rail upgrade and support future growth in trade volumes.
The ADB delegation reaffirmed its commitment to the Karachi–Rohri rail corridor, identifying it as a priority project within its engagement framework with Pakistan. Officials indicated that improved rail connectivity to ports is essential not only for current trade flows but also for future projects such as Reko Diq, which will require reliable, high-capacity transport links to move mineral output to international markets.
The reconnaissance mission marks an initial but significant step toward revitalising rail connectivity to Pakistan’s ports, following earlier engagements between the government and development partners. The visit also signals growing alignment between infrastructure planning and the country’s longer-term export and industrial strategies.
The delegation concluded the day’s proceedings with site visits to existing port facilities and terminal operators, allowing members to gain a firsthand understanding of current infrastructure limitations and operational challenges. Insights gathered during these visits are expected to inform future project design and implementation as Pakistan moves forward with the ML-1 upgrade and broader logistics reforms.
The renewed focus on the Karachi–Rohri rail corridor underscores the strategic role of transport infrastructure in supporting economic growth, export competitiveness and large-scale investment projects, positioning ML-1 as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s connectivity and development agenda.
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