ONE project that has faced protracted delay under multibillion dollars China- Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project is that of the upgradation of Mainline-1 from Karachi to Peshawar. Nobody can deny the importance of this strategically important project as it will not only transform the entire look of Pakistan Railways but also prove to be pivotal to make the country hub of regional trade and economic activities.
At a meeting on Monday, Minister for Railways and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong agreed to accelerate efforts for the early completion of $6.8 billion ML-1 project. This indeed is a positive development and we expect the early commencement of work on the project which in fact entails immense economic benefits for Pakistan as it will provide job opportunities to our people at a time when hundreds of thousands of them have been rendered jobless due to the breakout of Covid-19. Then this rail line passes through crucial areas of the country i.e. where 78% population and 80% industry lie. It would not be wrong to say that most of Pakistan’s economic activity already takes place along this belt so further accentuating the same along the same regions would have a very fruitful effect as it would further propel all that is already happening.
It will be unfair not to appreciate the efforts of new Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan who ever since assuming his responsibilities has held extensive talks with Pakistani officials on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations. This shows how much importance China gives to building strong cooperation with Pakistan. Ambassador Rong’s meeting with the Minister for Railways was also part of those engagements. This process must continue in order to remove any obstacle coming in the way of CPEC related projects and ensure their timely completion. As for the ground breaking of ML-1, we expect that Chinese President Xi Jinping will personally visit Pakistan. This will also provide an opportunity to both the sides to discuss ways and means to further expand relations in diverse fields.
