Gwadar Railway project’s feasibility study completed, Senate panel told

ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel was told on Thursday that the Gwadar Railway project’s feasibility study, conducted by an international firm, has been completed, with the Ministry of Railways now poised to present the ambitious project to the board for final approval.

The Senate Standing Committee on Pakistan Railways, chaired by Jam Saifullah Khan, discussed strategic railway development, operational reforms, and critical policy matters.

Federal Minister for Railways, Hanif Abbasi, and Secretary Railways informed the panel that the government is considering various options for completing the project, including potential collaboration with mining companies.

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The railway, passing through Balochistan’s mineral-rich areas, aims to link these regions with the Gwadar port. According to officials, the project will improve railway connectivity to Turkey and Russia via Iran and alleviate traffic congestion at Karachi Port.

Furthermore, the officials stated that the government has completed the feasibility study for the Basima to Jacobabad railway section, estimated to cost USD 4.7 billion.

The committee reviewed plans to connect Gwadar to the national railway network and Quetta. Key initiatives include the Main-link Express, a 680-kilometre line from Gwadar to Nokundi, which will connect the mineral-rich Chagai region with international markets.

The second major initiative, Main Line-4 (ML-4), will integrate Gwadar into Pakistan’s national rail system.

The committee was also informed that a joint survey for the project’s land acquisition has been completed, covering 282 acres.

Funding for the Nokundi-Rohri section will be sourced through USD 590 million in bridge financing, while the Rohri-Karachi section will require an estimated USD 2 billion, with backing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The committee members stressed the need for improving existing railway infrastructure alongside expansion projects.

The panel also reviewed the cancellation of the Bhalwal petrol pump tender and directed the issuance of a fresh, transparent tender process.

It also discussed the status of rail connectivity between Gwadar Port and the Gwadar Railway Container Yard, noting that 498.33 acres have been acquired for land development based on feasibility studies from 2005 and revalidated in 2019.

Operational reforms were also on the agenda, with the committee assessing the outsourcing of luggage van services. Officials said that the outsourcing initiative, combined with natural attrition, had reduced staff numbers and increased annual revenues by Rs 82 million.

The committee also reviewed a contentious case involving the Hyatt Regency land in Karachi, where Pakistan Railways is seeking to reclaim valuable property. The committee members emphasised the importance of legal transparency and adherence to proper processes.

Finally, discussions were held on regional disparities in rail services, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and consultations are underway with provincial governments to address cost-sharing, track rehabilitation, and new service introduction.

In closing, the committee chairman highlighted the need for aligning Pakistan’s railway development with international best practices, citing insights gained during a recent visit to China.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the strategic importance of strengthening the country’s railway system as a cost-effective and sustainable mode of national connectivity.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026