Pakistan and China have expressed satisfaction over the progress on the $9.2 billion Main Line (ML-1) project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which would be initiated next year.

A delegation led by Director General of China's National Railway Administration (NRA) Yan Hexiang called on the Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed here on Wednesday.

Sheikh Rashid and the Chinese delegation held discussions over the progress of ML-1 project for 1,872 kilometres long rail network.

During the meeting, the Railways Minister said Prime Minister Imran Khan was taking personal interest in early completion of the Main Line-1 project as it was the heart of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that would be constructed with the estimated cost of $9.2 billion. It was important project for development of the country, he added.

The Chinese leadership would be invited next year on the inauguration ceremony of the project, he said, adding it would be completed in five years. The project would connect Pakistan through train with China, Central Asia and Iran, the Railways Minister added.

The project would further enhance the friendly ties between Pakistan and China, he added. He said the distance between Karachi to Rawalpindi would be shrunk to 10 hours and the project would significantly help increase the overall production of the country after its completion in next five years.

The ML-1 project was among the top priority projects of CPEC. The recent Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) has expressed satisfaction over progress on the project, said the DG NRA.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019