Premier presses ADB official for early launch of ML-1 upgrade
• UN secretary general candidate appreciates Islamabad’s contribution to multilateralism and global peace
• PM reviews progress on Jinnah Medical Complex
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday discussed options for launching the long-awaited, multibillion-rupee Main Line-1 railway upgrade with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), stressing the need for early groundbreaking of the Karachi-Peshawar corridor.
The project came under discussion when the prime minister hosted a breakfast meeting in honour of ADB Vice President for South, Central and West Asia Yingming Yang.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting reviewed Pakistan’s multi-decade development partnership with the ADB and discussed priority interventions under the new Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) 2026-30.
Welcoming Mr Yang on his first official visit to Pakistan in his current capacity, PM Shehbaz appreciated ADB’s support for urban infrastructure, transport and public service projects in the country.
He said Pakistan had achieved a difficult economic turnaround through fiscal, structural and governance reforms, which had helped restore macroeconomic stability and investor confidence.
He said the country had also received improved sovereign rating assessments from major international credit rating agencies, including Fitch, Moody’s and S&P.
A central focus of the talks was the modernisation of the Main Line-1 railway corridor from Karachi to Peshawar, which the government considers a key national infrastructure priority.
PM Shehbaz said upgrading ML-1 was essential for modernising freight logistics, strengthening regional trade connectivity and supporting major industrial initiatives.
The meeting discussed the need for early groundbreaking of the project to improve infrastructure and connectivity.
The two sides also explored expanded cooperation in private-sector development, energy security, food security, export competitiveness, artificial intelligence and information technology.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to translate priorities under the CPS 2026-30 into concrete projects aimed at supporting sustainable growth and improving public services.
Reaffirming support for UN
Separately, in a meeting with one of the contenders for United Nations’ next secretary general, PM Shehbaz emphasised Pakistan’s continued and abiding support for multilateralism and the role of the UN in global affairs.
Ambassador Olara Otunnu, called on the PM alongside Ruhakana Rugunda, Special Envoy of the president of Uganda and former prime minister of Uganda.
During the meeting, the prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter and underscored the need to ensure respect for international law and international treaties.
He expressed the hope that the next Secretary-General of the United Nations would continue to focus on the three pillars of the United Nations — peace and security, development, and human rights — in an interconnected and balanced manner.
Ambassador Otunnu expressed his profound gratitude for Pakistan’s enduring contributions to multilateralism as well as to all three pillars of the UN. He appreciated Pakistan’s leadership and its key role in ongoing efforts to promote international peace and security.
Jinnah Medical Complex
Later, PM Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to complete the first phase of the Jinnah Medical Complex and Research Centre by March 2027, with the aim of providing citizens with modern healthcare facilities at the earliest.
He issued these directives while chairing a review meeting on the construction of the Jinnah Medical Complex and Research Centre and the Phase-II extension of the Federal Government Polyclinic at the Prime Minister’s Office, according to a news release.
The prime minister said that providing quality healthcare facilities to the public was the government’s top priority, adding that the pace of reforms in the health sector should be further accelerated.
During the meeting, various construction designs and proposals for the proposed Jinnah Medical Complex and Research Centre building were presented for consideration.
Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2026
