The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday approved the up-gradation of Pakistan Railways existing main Line-1 (ML-1).
Headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the completion of the $6.7 billion project in two phases.
The committee sanctioned the first phase from Karachi to Multan at a cost of $3.32 billion, although the Chinese have so far agreed to fund $1.1 billion worth of Karachi-Hyderabad section.
Phase-I is 929 km long from Karachi to Multan costing $3.32 billion and phase-II of the project is of 797 km long from Multan to Peshawar, which will cost $3.36 billion but it will be taken up after the confirmation of financing – either from CPEC or other sources.
ECNEC also approved four water-sector projects including the government of Punjab’s project for the construction of Dadhocha Dam. The project will help bridge water deficiency in Rawalpindi through the supply of 35 MGD of water.
