Brief
ADB pledges full support for Pakistan’s ML‑1 railway upgrade
ADB President Masato Kanda affirmed commitment to Pakistan’s ML‑1 railway project and discussed financing and regional links at a CAREC meeting.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Asian Development Bank President Masato Kanda told Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal that the bank remains fully committed to Pakistan’s flagship ML‑1 railway modernisation project. The remarks were made on the sidelines of the 25th CAREC Ministerial Conference in Ulaanbaatar, where Iqbal conveyed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s request for faster procedural progress.
Kanda said the ADB would provide all possible support, including a dedicated financing window for climate adaptation and resilience, and highlighted potential rail links to Turkmenistan and Afghanistan to improve access to Gwadar Port. Iqbal also proposed a Carec Critical Minerals Investment and Value‑Chain Platform and invited regional businesses to Pakistan’s Minerals Investment Forum in Islamabad.
Key facts
- ADB President Masato Kanda affirmed full support for Pakistan’s ML‑1 railway project. (dailytimes.com.pk)
- Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal relayed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s request for faster progress. (dailytimes.com.pk)
- The meeting took place during the 25th CAREC Ministerial Conference in Ulaanbaatar. (dailytimes.com.pk)
- Kanda mentioned a possible dedicated financing window for climate adaptation and resilience. (dailytimes.com.pk)
- Iqbal suggested a Carec Critical Minerals Investment and Value‑Chain Platform and invited businesses to a forum in Islamabad. (dailytimes.com.pk)
Sources
- [1] dailytimes.com.pk — originally reported as “ADB backs Pakistan’s ML-1 project as Iqbal seeks faster progress”
