Islamabad, June 17, 2025: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed authorities to ensure that the strategic Rekodiq site is connected to Pakistan’s railway network by 2028, in a move aimed at facilitating future transportation and cargo services linked to the country’s mineral wealth.
Chairing a high-level meeting on the upgradation of Pakistan Railways and its planned extension to Rekodiq, the prime minister emphasized the economic and strategic importance of the initiative. He instructed the formation of an inter-ministerial committee to oversee financing and development aspects of the project.
“The committee will formulate and present comprehensive recommendations for the financing needed to modernize Pakistan Railways and expand its network to Rekodiq,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said.
During the briefing, PM Shehbaz was updated on progress regarding the Main Line-1 (ML-1) and Main Line-3 (ML-3) railway projects, as well as broader plans for enhancing the national railway infrastructure to meet the growing demands of freight and logistics in the coming decades.
Highlighting the role of Pakistan Railways in national development, the prime minister said, “Railways serve as the backbone of the country’s economy and communication. It is a cheap, fast, and environment-friendly mode of transportation.”
He added that linking Rekodiq—a site rich in mineral resources in Balochistan—to the rail network would catalyze economic activity in the province, particularly in the mines and minerals sector, while also creating new employment opportunities for local communities.
The meeting was attended by key cabinet members and officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Minister of State for Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, and senior government officials.
The move aligns with Pakistan’s broader vision to leverage its natural resource potential and modernize its transport infrastructure to support long-term economic growth.
