UAE to Collaborate on Pakistan’s Largest Railway Project
Key Takeaways
- Pakistan and the UAE agreed to deepen cooperation in the railway sector, with the UAE actively engaging in Pakistan's ML-1 project.
- Etihad Rail will play a central role in supporting the modernization and dual-tracking of Pakistan's 1,872-km Karachi-Peshawar ML-1 line.
- Discussions took place during the Global Rail Conference and Exhibition 2025 in Abu Dhabi, attended by a high-level Pakistani delegation.
- Minister Kiyani met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss closer collaboration in railways, energy, and investment.
- The projects, including ML-1 and ML-3, are crucial for boosting Pakistan's regional connectivity, freight capacity, and aligning its network with international standards.
Pakistan and the UAE are significantly deepening their cooperation in the railway sector, as announced by Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi during the Global Rail Conference 2025 in Abu Dhabi. The UAE, through Etihad Rail, is set to play a central role in supporting Pakistan's largest railway initiative, the Main Line-1 (ML-1) project, which aims to modernize and dual-track the 1,872-kilometre Karachi-Peshawar line. Pakistani Minister of State for Finance and Railways, Bilal Azhar Kiyani, attended the conference where he emphasized Pakistan's strategic location and the vision for a modern, sustainable rail network, including the ML-3 corridor. Kiyani also held high-level meetings with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Etihad Rail CEO Shadi Malak to discuss investment, technology transfer, and expanding cross-border connectivity. These discussions are expected to strengthen bilateral ties and advance regional transport solutions, underscoring rail's importance as an eco-friendly mode of transport.
