ML-1 Railway Project Ready for Bidding; Security for Chinese Workers Enhanced
Minister Ahsan Iqbal announced that the ML-1 railway project is now open for bidding among eligible Chinese companies. During a meeting with Chinese businessmen, PM Sharif encouraged them to establish industries in CPEC special economic zones.
KARACHI: At the 13th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting held online on Friday, Pakistani and Chinese officials agreed to proceed with the $6 billion ML-1 railway project, emphasizing the improved security for Chinese workers in Pakistan. This meeting, which focused on energy and infrastructure projects under CPEC, followed the March 26 suicide attack that killed five Chinese engineers and their local driver near the Dasu dam site.
Pakistan’s planning minister Ahsan Iqbal informed the media that security concerns for Chinese workers were addressed, with Pakistan having established a special force to protect CPEC projects. Chinese nationals in Pakistan have been targeted by militant groups, particularly Baloch nationalists.
On Thursday, Pakistan’s top economic body approved $2.5 million in compensation for the families of the Chinese workers killed in the Dasu attack. Iqbal emphasized that both sides agreed to enhance security measures and initiate more projects under CPEC.
The ML-1 railway project aims to upgrade and dualize the existing railway network, connecting Karachi to Peshawar. Iqbal stated that the project’s feasibility has been approved at a cost of $6.76 billion and is now ready for the bidding process.
Iqbal highlighted the progress of CPEC projects since 2013, noting the completion of 16 energy projects with a generation capacity of 8,020 MW, two coal mines, and a +660 kV HVDC transmission line. The $1.707 billion Suki Kinari hydropower project is still under construction, expected to be completed by November 2024. Three advanced-stage power projects, totaling 2,124.7 MW and valued at $4.157 billion, include two hydel projects (Azad Pattan and Kohala) and one coal-based project in Gwadar.
Concrete progress on the next CPEC phase is anticipated following PM Shahbaz Sharif’s visit to China in early June. Sharif noted the strengthening bilateral relations and invited Chinese companies to set up industries in CPEC special economic zones, particularly in the textile sector.
Senior research economist Ammar Habib Khan highlighted China’s financial assistance to Pakistan and suggested that Islamabad hopes for leniency in restructuring about $15 billion in loans for power and infrastructure projects, which could help reduce electricity prices and provide economic relief.
