ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Railways has launched two new development projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), with funds allocated for both schemes in the federal budget.

According to official documents, no new project other than these two CPEC-related initiatives has been included in the ministry’s Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

The first project, titled “Preparation and Readiness Support for ML-1 Up-gradation under ADB Financing,” has been allocated Rs1.40 billion in the current fiscal year’s budget. The project received approval from the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on June 6 and carries an estimated total cost of Rs2.94 billion.

The second project relates to the Rohri–Sibi–Quetta–Taftan section of the ML-3 railway line, for which Rs250 million has been earmarked in the federal budget. The estimated total cost of the project is Rs278.61 billion. However, the scheme is still awaiting approval from the Central Development Working Party (CDWP).

The inclusion of the two projects signals the government’s renewed focus on railway infrastructure development under the CPEC framework, with priority being given to the modernization and expansion of Pakistan’s strategic rail network.