Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, announced that Islamabad and Abu Dhabi will expand cooperation in the railway sector. He confirmed that the UAE is already involved in Pakistan’s Main Line-1 (ML-1) project. He also revealed that talks with Etihad Rail are underway for additional collaboration.
The ML-1 project is Pakistan’s largest railway initiative. It aims to modernize and dual-track the 1,872-kilometre Karachi-Peshawar line. The ambitious upgrade includes modern signaling systems, durable bridges, renovated stations, and increased train speed capacity. Together with ML-3, linking Quetta to Kotri via Jacobabad, the projects will boost connectivity, enhance freight capacity, and reduce travel time.
Pakistan Showcases Strategic Location
Tirmizi highlighted these opportunities during Pakistan’s participation in the Global Rail Conference and Exhibition 2025 in Abu Dhabi. Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kiyani led the delegation. The three-day event, held from September 30 to October 2, gathered 24 ministerial delegations, 60 CEOs, and 200 international speakers.
“Pakistan had an important opportunity to highlight its strategic location at the crossroads of Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East,” Tirmizi noted. He further emphasized that Etihad Rail will play a central role in Pakistan’s ML-1 development and knowledge exchange.
Strengthening Regional Partnerships
During his visit, Minister Kiyani experienced a high-speed train journey between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The ride lasted just 35 minutes. This route is scheduled to officially launch in 2026. He also chaired a session attended by ministers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Later, Kiyani met UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. They discussed enhancing cooperation in railways, energy, governance, and investment. According to Ambassador Tirmizi, these engagements significantly strengthened bilateral ties and advanced regional connectivity.
Pakistan’s Modern Railway Vision
In a statement, Pakistan’s embassy in the UAE highlighted Islamabad’s vision of building a modern and eco-friendly railway network. Minister Kiyani stressed that upgrading ML-1 and ML-3 is essential for meeting global standards and promoting sustainable development.
On the sidelines, Kiyani met Etihad Rail CEO Shadi Malak to discuss freight logistics, technology transfer, and rail expansion. He also visited Etihad Rail and Hafeet Rail stalls to review regional progress in advanced railway systems.
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