Pakistan received a significant boost to its development agenda on Friday as the government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed three key financing agreements amounting to $61.8 million (approximately Rs 17 billion). These funds, classified under Project Readiness Financing (PRF), are designed to move crucial national and provincial projects from planning into full implementation.
Modernising Pakistan’s Railways: ML-1 Karachi–Rohri Section
One of the most notable components of this financing package is the $10 million PRF allocated for preparing detailed documentation for the $2 billion Karachi–Rohri segment of the Main Line-1 (ML-1).
This section of ML-1 is considered the backbone of Pakistan’s railway modernization plan. The PRF will allow engineers, consultants, and planners to carry out feasibility refinement, engineering designs, environmental assessments, procurement documents, and other groundwork required before full-scale construction begins.
Officials emphasized that improving readiness now will prevent future delays and help Pakistan secure major loans for construction more efficiently. ADB Country Director Emma Fan called this PRF “a key step toward the long-awaited transformation of Pakistan’s railway system.”
Read more: Work on Karachi-Rohri track for Rs 2.3 trillion ML-1 project to start this year
$3.8 Million to Prepare Quetta Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
Quetta—one of Pakistan’s fastest-growing yet infrastructure-starved cities—has long struggled with congestion, inadequate public transport, and urban pollution. To help address these issues, ADB will provide $3.8 million to finalize planning and design for the $125 million Quetta BRT project.
This includes route selection, station layouts, fleet plans, environmental safeguards, and tendering frameworks. According to the Economic Affairs Division, this project will directly improve mobility for students, workers, and low-income commuters who currently rely on informal and unsafe transport modes.
Read more: Balochistan adds 21 new buses for Quetta, Turbat, including four pink buses for women
$48 Million for Strengthening Balochistan’s Water Security
The largest chunk of the PRF—$48 million—is dedicated to the Balochistan Water Resources Development Sector Program. This financing will help revive delayed components such as:
• Churi Infiltration Gallery subproject
• Command area development for Siri Toi Dam
• Watershed management initiatives
These interventions aim to improve irrigation efficiency, prevent soil erosion, and promote sustainable water use in one of Pakistan’s most climate-vulnerable regions.
Government Welcomes Support
Secretary of Economic Affairs Humair Karim has expressed gratitude to ADB, noting that timely financing is highly imperative to prevent
- Project delays
- Cost overruns
- Bureaucratic bottlenecks
Humai Karim urged that provincial and federal agencies are ready to utilize the funds efficiently so that practical work can initiate without encountering any further setbacks.
ADB reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Pakistan’s long-term development goals through capacity building, digitalization, improved planning, and adherence to international standards.