UAE to Collaborate on Pakistan’s Largest Railway Project

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, announced on Thursday that Islamabad and Abu Dhabi are set to deepen cooperation in the railway sector. He confirmed that the UAE is already engaged in Pakistan’s Main Line-1 (ML-1) project and that discussions are underway with Etihad Rail for further collaboration.

The ML-1 project, Pakistan’s largest railway initiative, aims to modernize and dual-track the 1,872-kilometre Karachi-Peshawar line. The upgrade includes advanced signaling systems, improved bridges, modernized stations, and an increase in train speed capacity. Alongside ML-3 — a corridor linking Quetta to Kotri via Jacobabad — these projects are considered vital for boosting regional connectivity, expanding freight capacity, and reducing travel times.

Tirmizi’s comments came as Pakistan’s delegation, led by Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kiyani, attended the Global Rail Conference and Exhibition 2025 in Abu Dhabi. Running from September 30 to October 2, the event hosted over 24 ministerial delegations, 60 global CEOs, and 200 international speakers under the theme “Driving the Future of Transport and Global Connectivity.”

“Pakistan had a valuable opportunity to highlight its strategic location at the crossroads of Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East,” Tirmizi said. He added that both countries will exchange best practices, with Etihad Rail playing a central role in supporting Pakistan’s ML-1 development.

The Global Rail Conference, hosted by Etihad Rail in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, featured more than 200 exhibitors and welcomed over 20,000 visitors. It served as a key platform for showcasing infrastructure projects and exploring future transport solutions.

“Rail remains the most cost-effective and eco-friendly mode of transport after sea freight,” the envoy emphasized, adding that the sector provides a strong opportunity for countries to expand cross-border connectivity.

During the visit, Minister Kiyani also experienced a high-speed train ride between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, completing the journey in just 35 minutes. The route is expected to officially open in 2026. He later chaired a session attended by railway ministers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Kiyani also met UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, stressing the importance of closer collaboration in railways, energy, governance, and investment. According to Tirmizi, these discussions “significantly contributed to strengthening bilateral ties and advancing regional connectivity.”

In a separate statement, Pakistan’s embassy in the UAE said that Kiyani shared Islamabad’s vision of transforming its railways into a modern, reliable, and environmentally sustainable network. He highlighted the strategic importance of upgrading both ML-1 and ML-3 corridors to align with international standards.

On the sidelines of the event, Kiyani also met Etihad Rail CEO Shadi Malak to discuss cooperation in freight logistics, technology transfer, and network expansion. He visited exhibition stalls of Etihad Rail and Hafeet Rail to review regional progress in advanced rail systems.