Pakistan has finalized financial terms with China to upgrade the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway, seen as a crucial infrastructure project as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is set to transform the country's transportation sector.
Valued at 6.8 billion U.S. dollars, the ML-1 project aims to modernize Pakistan's aging infrastructure, with a primary focus on upgrading the crucial rail link connecting southern Karachi and northwestern Peshawar. This is expected to slash travel times and boost the efficient movement of passengers and cargo across the country.
The financing deal was reached at a recent CPEC meeting held just ahead of Chinese Premier Li Qiang's trip to Pakistan, where he is attending the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Launched in 2013, the CPEC, a flagship project of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is a corridor linking the Gwadar Port in southwest Pakistan's Balochistan province with Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which highlights energy, transport, and industrial cooperation.
As part of Pakistan’s border connectivity strategy with Central Asia, the ML-1 upgrade is expected to strengthen the country’s internal logistics network and create new investment and trade opportunities by providing seamless rail and road access to Central Asian states through Pakistan’s northern regions.
Experts believe China's substantial investment in CPEC is helping Pakistan lay a solid economic foundation and unlock significant opportunities.
"Previously, it was only the road network that was being connected. Now, it has also been decided that the railway [network between] the SCO member states also would be connected. In that context, Pakistan's project under CPEC, the ML-1, which means 'Main Line 1' that goes from Peshawar to Karachi, is being upgraded," said Babar Amin, Pakistan's First National Coordinator for the SCO, and also former Pakistani Ambassador to Norway.
"As far as the ML-1 project is concerned, this will be a very important project signed under the SCO because I think it will be the first major project and the first major initiative undertaken by the SCO," said Dr. Uzma Siraj, head of the international relations department at the Federal Urdu University.
The project is expected to stimulate economic activity, advance regional collaboration, and expand trade opportunities between South Asia, Central Asia, and beyond, further elevating the geo-economic importance of China's Belt and Road Initiative with Pakistan serving as a key transit hub.
Pakistan seals major deal with China to upgrade key rail link under CPEC
A cold front has brought snowfall and freezing temperatures across many parts of China, disrupting transportation and prompting emergency responses. On Sunday morning, many places in Handan City of north China's Hebei Province have experienced snowfall.
The province on Sunday activated a Level-IV emergency response for major meteorological disasters in preparation for incoming heavy snowfall.
According to the provincial meteorological observatory, heavy snow is forecast to hit areas including Shijiazhuang, Cangzhou and Hengshui from day to night on Sunday. Some regions may experience blizzard conditions.
Forecasters warn that the severe weather will disrupt transportation, urban services, and greenhouse agriculture.
Local authorities have been urged to closely monitor weather conditions, enhance risk assessment, and eliminate potential safety hazards.
China has a four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe response.
Starting early Sunday morning, a new round of snowfall began in areas such as Qingyang City and Dingxi City in northwest China's Gansu Province.
In order to ensure smooth traffic and people's normal life and production, local departments have made coordinated efforts to clear snow from roads.
Local traffic police have also increased presence at key areas to direct traffic and ensure timely response to emergencies.
In addition, widespread snowfall affected the northern parts of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, posing challenges to urban transportation and railway operations.
Traffic police and city departments are mobilizing to clear roads and ensure safe travel for residents.
Railway authorities also implemented pre-arranged snow-response plans, using equipment such as wind-powered snow blowers and de-icing equipment to clear key sections of track and prevent switches from freezing.
The current round of snowfall in the northern parts of Xinjiang is expected to end on March 2. Some areas in east China's Shandong Province also experienced heavy snow on Sunday. At 11:00, the provincial weather service issued yellow warnings for icy roads.
At the Mount Tai scenic area in Tai'an City, the weather transitioned from a mix of rain and snow to snowfall during the day. As of 15:00 on Sunday, the average precipitation had reached 18.9 millimeters, with the snowfall still ongoing. To ensure the safety of visitors, the scenic area has decided to suspend all access routes starting from 16:00. On Sunday morning, cold air prompted snowfall in many places of north China's Shanxi Province. The Shanxi Provincial Meteorological Observatory issued a yellow alert for blizzard, covering areas such as Jinzhong City, Linfen City, and Yuncheng City.
Icy road conditions led to temporary traffic restrictions on several highway sections.
Local authorities promptly activated emergency response plans, deploying crews for snow removal and traffic control.
Snowfall hits many parts of China, affecting transportation
