The Asian Development Bank has said its technical team and project consultants are working to finalise the design of Pakistan’s Main Line-1 railway project by October 2026, after which the project is expected to move towards procurement and other subsequent stages. The development was discussed during a meeting between Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Senator Ahad Cheema and a delegation from the Asian Development Bank, where officials reviewed progress on the project and focused on completing the design and related preparatory requirements within the targeted timeline.
The meeting brought together senior officials from the Asian Development Bank and the Government of Pakistan to assess the ongoing work on Main Line-1. Participants included Asian Development Bank Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan, Asian Development Bank Deputy Country Director, Secretary Railways Mazhar Ali Shah, Secretary Economic Affairs Muhammad Humair Karim, Director General Planning of the Ministry of Railways and other senior officials from relevant ministries and departments. The discussions centred on coordination between the institutions and the steps required before the project can progress to procurement and later implementation stages.
Senator Ahad Cheema appreciated the progress made by the Asian Development Bank and its technical teams in advancing the design work. He stressed the importance of maintaining close coordination among all stakeholders to ensure that the remaining requirements are completed without unnecessary delays. The minister said Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has placed a high priority on the Main Line-1 project and wants it to move towards implementation at the earliest possible stage, reflecting the government’s focus on progressing the major railway initiative.
The minister assured the Asian Development Bank delegation that the Government of Pakistan remains prepared to complete the requirements falling within its responsibility in a timely manner. He also assured the delegation that the government would provide the necessary facilitation throughout the process. Alongside completing the technical design, Senator Ahad Cheema called for continued monitoring and review of the implementation schedule to determine whether timelines could be optimised wherever feasible.
The minister emphasised that any effort to accelerate the project must continue to comply fully with technical, legal and procedural requirements. This approach is intended to balance the government’s desire for faster progress with the need to ensure that the project moves through the required stages in an appropriate manner. The Asian Development Bank’s technical team and consultants are expected to continue working with Pakistani authorities as the design reaches completion and preparations begin for procurement and subsequent stages.
The Asian Development Bank delegation welcomed the government’s commitment to advancing Main Line-1 and assured Pakistani officials that it would continue working closely with the relevant authorities to facilitate timely progress. The delegation also said requirements associated with subsequent processing and approvals would be communicated to the government in a timely manner. These requirements include matters related to consideration by the Asian Development Bank Board, which will form part of the process following completion of the relevant preparatory work.
The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Government of Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank to maintaining close coordination as the Main Line-1 project advances. Finalising the project design within October remains the immediate target, followed by procurement and other stages required for implementation. Continued coordination between the economic affairs, railways and development-finance authorities is expected to remain important as the project progresses through its technical, legal, procedural and approval requirements.
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