KARACHI: Commenting on reports about the exclusion of the ML-1 railway project from the current China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework, Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor said Sunday, it should not be viewed as a setback.

According to Pasban Democratic Party, Shakoor emphasized that this development offers Pakistan a chance to adopt a more sustainable approach to its railway infrastructure. He advocated for modernizing the existing railway network through domestic financing and collaboration with the private sector, rather than depending on foreign loans.

Shakoor highlighted that Pakistan already possesses a railway corridor linking Karachi with Peshawar. He suggested that the focus should be on upgrading this corridor by converting single-track sections into double tracks, enhancing safety with proper fencing, and implementing advanced digital signaling and communication systems to boost speed, safety, and capacity.

He noted that Pakistan Railways has the expertise and capacity needed for these improvements, and with private-sector support and innovative local financing, the modernization could be achieved using national resources. Shakoor argued that any new foreign loans should be directed towards projects that transform Pakistan's future, such as developing the country's first bullet train, rather than upgrading the current railway system.

Shakoor urged national leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Railway Minister Hanif Abbasi, as well as policymakers and the business community, to support a financing strategy that bolsters economic sovereignty and encourages private-sector involvement. He called for a railway system that aligns with Pakistan's future aspirations.