Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed that Reko Diq be connected to Pakistan’s national railway network by 2028, in a move aimed at enhancing cargo and transport infrastructure to support the region’s mining sector.
The directive came during a high-level meeting on Tuesday, where the prime minister was briefed on the status of the ML-1 and ML-3 railway upgrade projects—key components of Pakistan Railways’ long-term strategy to modernise transport and logistics services.
To ensure timely progress, PM Shehbaz also ordered the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee responsible for securing financing and presenting recommendations for both the railway network’s development and the extension to Reko Diq.
Terming Pakistan Railways an essential pillar of the national economy, the prime minister described it as an affordable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable mode of transport. He underlined that extending the railway to Reko Diq would not only unlock the mineral and mining potential of Balochistan but also generate employment for local communities.
This initiative follows recent developments in financing for the Reko Diq mining project. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb revealed that the World Bank Group had approved a $700 million funding package for the project, despite India’s attempts to obstruct the investment.
Speaking before the Senate Standing Committee on Finance, Aurangzeb said that the funding includes $300 million from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and $400 million from the International Development Association (IDA)—both arms of the World Bank. He noted that this marks the third time within a month that India’s efforts to block international lending had been rejected.
The new railway link is expected to significantly boost logistics capacity in the region and serve as a cornerstone for future development in Balochistan’s resource-rich districts.
