--- title: "ADB pledges support for ML-1 railway modernisation" description: "Most outlets highlighted the Asian Development Bank’s commitment to the ML-1 railway project and the involvement of Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal. Geo News led with the assurance of full ADB support and included a detail about a handshake between Iqbal and ADB President Masato Kanda. Dawn provided a brief mention of the $1.1 billion investment figure, while Daily Times focused on Iqbal’s call for fast-tracking procedural formalities." url: https://harzaviya.com/stories/11628-adb-vows-to-move-flagship-ml-1-railway-project-forward site: HarZaviya language: en --- # ADB pledges support for ML-1 railway modernisation business · updated 1 Oct 2026, 10:49 AM PKT · 30 Sep – 1 Oct 2026 · 7 articles from 6 outlets over 2 developments ## How it developed Newest development first. Each carries its own coverage and, where we have one, our summary of it. ### 1 Oct 2026 — ADB pledges support for ML-1 railway modernisation (4 outlets) > Most outlets highlighted the Asian Development Bank’s commitment to the ML-1 railway project and the involvement of Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal. Geo News led with the assurance of full ADB support and included a detail about a handshake between Iqbal and ADB President Masato Kanda. Dawn provided a brief mention of the $1.1 billion investment figure, while Daily Times focused on Iqbal’s call for fast-tracking procedural formalities. - **Daily Times** — [ADB backs Pakistan’s ML-1 project as Iqbal seeks faster progress](https://dailytimes.com.pk/1561004/adb-backs-pakistans-ml-1-project-as-iqbal-seeks-faster-progress/) · 1 Oct 2026, 10:49 AM PKT > The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has assured Pakistan of full support for the flagship ML-1 railway modernisation project. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal sought faster progress on the project during a meeting with ADB President Masato Kanda. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 25th Carec Ministerial Conference in Ulaanbaatar. Iqbal conveyed Prime Minister […] - **Dawn** — [Asian Development Bank backs ML-1 modernisation](https://www.dawn.com/news/2033863/asian-development-bank-backs-ml-1-modernisation) · 1 Oct 2026, 8:31 AM PKT · 84% identical wording to the newest filing > ISLAMABAD: After extensive consultations with the government, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is finalising a $1.1 billion investment programme to improve the efficiency, safety and sustainability of railway transport along Pakistan Railways’ Main Line-1 between Karachi and Rohri by 2040. A fact-finding mission of the ADB has been planned for January 2027 to discuss and evaluate project detail... - **The Nation** — [ADB pledges full support for ML-1](https://www.nation.com.pk/01-Oct-2026/adb-pledges-full-support-ml-1) · 1 Oct 2026, 7:12 AM PKT · 83% identical wording to the newest filing > ISLAMABAD - Asian Development Bank President Masato Kanda has assured that the bank is fully committed to Pakistan’s Main Line-1 (ML-1) as a flagship project and will extend all possible support to move it forward. - **Geo News** — [ADB assures full support for flagship ML-1 as Ahsan Iqbal seeks fast-track progress](https://www.geo.tv/latest/684488-ahsan-iqbal-seeks-fast-track-for-flagship-ml-1-adb-president-assures-full-support) · 1 Oct 2026, 6:56 AM PKT · 81% identical wording to the newest filing > Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal shakes hands with ADB President Masato Kanda on the sidelines of the 25th Carec Ministerial Conference in Ulaanbaatar on September 30, 2026. — PID/ScreengrabIqbal says low-emission,... ### 30 Sep 2026 — Pakistan seeks USD2bn ADB financing for ML-1 project (2 outlets) > Most outlets led with Pakistan's request for USD2 billion in financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the ML-1 project. One outlet noted the involvement of the National Assembly Standing Committee and the ongoing talks, while another highlighted the minister's call for fast-tracking the process and the ADB's assurance of support. - **Associated Press of Pakistan** — [Ahsan seeks fast-track for ML-1; ADB assures full support](https://www.app.com.pk/business/ahsan-seeks-fast-track-for-ml-1-adb-assures-full-support/) · 30 Sep 2026, 7:16 PM PKT > ULAANBAATAR (Mongolia), Sep 30 (APP): Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday urged the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to fast-track procedural formalities for the ML-1 railway modernization project, with ADB President Masato Kanda assuring full support to move the flagship project forward. He also called for establishing a dedicated ADB... - **Business Recorder** — [NA body informed: Pakistan seeks USD2bn ADB financing for ML-1 project](https://www.brecorder.com/news/40441903/na-body-informed-pakistan-seeks-usd2bn-adb-financing-for-ml-1-project) · 30 Sep 2026, 5:57 AM PKT · 72% identical wording to the newest filing > ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives was informed on Tuesday that Pakistan is advancing talks with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a potential USD 2 billion loan to finance the completion of the first phase of the multibillion-dollar Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway modernisation project. The first phase covers a 480-kilometre secti... ## Part of a bigger story Other stories whose coverage resembles this one, nearest first. "% related" compares whole stories, not single articles — see [what the percentages mean](https://harzaviya.com/methodology). - [Shehbaz and ADB vice president discuss early groundbreaking of ML-1](https://harzaviya.com/stories/6125-pakistan-adb-agree-to-set-up-working-group-for-ml-1-project) · 5 Sep 2026 · 9 outlets · 2 developments · 89% related - [Pakistan and ADB review progress on Main Line-1 railway project](https://harzaviya.com/stories/7510-ahad-cheema-reviews-progress-on-main-line-1-railway-project) · 10 Sep 2026 · 7 outlets · 89% related - [Pakistan seeks more ADB funding for infrastructure projects](https://harzaviya.com/stories/6201-pakistan-asks-adb-for-more-funding-for-10-billion-ml-1) · 3 Sep 2026 · 2 outlets · 84% related - [ADB considering up to $1.1 billion for ML-1 Karachi-Rohri upgrade](https://harzaviya.com/stories/6976-adb-considers-1-1-billion-financing-for-karachi-rohri-ml-1) · 7 Sep 2026 · 2 outlets · 83% related - [ADB and World Bank consider funding $6.8 billion ML-1 railway project](https://harzaviya.com/stories/9892-adb-world-bank-consider-funding-6-8-billion-ml-1-project) · 22 Sep 2026 · 2 outlets · 82% related 7 articles from 6 outlets, 30 Sep – 1 Oct 2026. 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