Islamabad: Pakistan and China have agreed to start the process of initiating development work on the railways’ Main Line (ML)-1 project, a news source reported on July 14. The interest was expressed during the meeting held between Minster of Railways Azam Khan Swati and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong.
During the meeting, Minister Swati said that the work on the massive railways’ connectivity Main Line -1 (ML-1) project will start soon. While Rong believes that the project will take the collaboration between the two countries under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative to new heights.
The two officials of the state discussed the issues related to delays seen in the ML-1 project, which encompasses the expansion and upgradation of railway line that runs between Peshawar and Karachi.
Swati believes that the completion of ML-1 would change the map of the country’s present railway structure and will benefit the economy. Rong was of the view that the development of the ML-1 will bring the two countries closer together and improve bilateral ties.Furthermore, both parties agreed that the completion of CPEC will benefit the people by increasing employment and investment opportunities.
The ML-1 project starts from Karachi and travels through four provinces before concluding in Peshawar. There have been some disagreements between the two countries regarding the finance and cost estimates of the project. However, the two slides are expected to work out a mutual plan in the upcoming 10th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) scheduled to be held virtually on July 16, 2021.
Nauman Ahmad is an imaginative Pisces whose love for literature and nature is unparalleled. When he's not reading or hiking, he's sleeping and eating, which gives him plenty of energy for his next adventure.
