ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank is considering a $1.1 billion financing programme to upgrade the Karachi-Rohri section of Pakistan Railways’ Main Line-1, with the project currently listed by the bank as proposed rather than approved.
ADB’s project data show $1 billion in proposed ordinary capital resources and another $100 million in concessional ordinary capital resources lending for the programme.
The project covers approximately 480 kilometres of ML-1 between Karachi and Rohri, a section of Pakistan’s main passenger and freight railway corridor. ADB says the programme would support climate-resilient railway infrastructure, modernised signalling and operations, and institutional and capacity-building measures.
The proposed investment is intended to improve railway efficiency, safety and sustainability along the corridor. ADB’s stated outcome is for those improvements to be achieved on the Karachi-Rohri section by 2040.
The project remains at an early stage. ADB lists its status as “Proposed”, with concept clearance recorded on June 18, 2026. Fact-finding is scheduled for January 11-22, 2027, while the project page does not list an approval date.
That status means the $1.1 billion should not be described as an approved or disbursed loan. The figures represent the financing currently envisaged in ADB’s proposed multitranche programme and may be subject to further project preparation and approval processes.
ADB identifies ML-1 as Pakistan’s core rail corridor and says the Karachi-Rohri section links the country’s principal port area with the wider national network. The bank argues that years of greater investment in roads have left rail underused despite its potential role in moving bulk freight at lower cost.
The proposed programme includes three broad areas: climate-resilient and higher-capacity rail and port connectivity, improved railway operations and asset management, and stronger institutional capacity for sustainable railway operations.
ADB had already supported project-readiness work before the proposed follow-on financing. The larger programme is intended to combine infrastructure improvements with operational and governance reforms.
For Pakistan Railways, the Karachi-Rohri section is strategically important because it carries both passenger services and freight moving north from Karachi. Improvements to track, signalling and operations could affect journey reliability and freight capacity if the project proceeds through approval and implementation.
For now, however, the development is a financing plan under preparation. ADB’s project timetable shows that further assessment is still required before any final approval decision.