Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urged the Asian Development Bank to expedite financing for the ML-1 railway project. He made the request during a meeting with senior ADB officials in Manila on Wednesday.
Dar attended the meeting on the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting. Pakistan is using the event to strengthen engagement with regional partners through bilateral discussions.
Dar Highlights Importance Of ML-1 Project
According to the Foreign Office, Dar met senior ADB leadership at the bank’s headquarters. The meeting included ADB Vice President Yingming Yang, Vice President Fatima Yasmin, and other senior officials.
Pakistan’s Executive Director to the ADB, Nashita Mohsin, also attended. Furthermore, officials from both sides participated in the discussions.
During the meeting, Dar appreciated ADB’s continued support for Pakistan’s development priorities. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining close cooperation on major projects.
The deputy prime minister highlighted the Main Line-1 railway project as a flagship initiative. He described it as a key priority of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government.
Pakistan, ADB Reaffirm Long-Term Partnership
The two sides reviewed their long-standing partnership spanning more than six decades. They also explored opportunities to expand cooperation in several sectors.
Discussions focused on infrastructure, climate resilience, regional connectivity, and sustainable economic growth. Additionally, Dar requested a faster processing timeline for ML-1 financing.
According to the Foreign Office, he stressed the importance of ADB’s role in leading consortium lending for the project. The request aimed to accelerate progress on the railway modernization plan.
Meanwhile, ADB officials reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with Pakistan. They acknowledged the project’s potential to modernize the country’s railway network.
Officials also noted that ML-1 could strengthen connectivity and support long-term economic growth. Senior government representatives from Pakistan attended the meeting alongside ADB officials.
