Movability is one of the major characteristics of living organisms. And it is highly significant for every living object to survive and seek new and different opportunities. It is more important in the case of human beings who really need movement. Moreover, history has proven that humans can never remain static. They have been moving from place to place and have been exploring the world. Hence they are able to make new inventions and discoveries. All these inventions and discoveries have eased the lives of human beings. For their movement man had discovered different modes of transportation like airplanes, cars, buses, motorbikes, trains, and some other vehicles.

However, the Railway system is one of the best modes of transportation.  Railways are a vital component of the transportation infrastructure of a country as they immensely facilitate an affordable method of trade and transportation. Moreover, railways are a climate-friendly and cost-effective mode of transportation for both people and freight. Railways encourage economic development while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They are a safe and efficient means of transporting millions of people and millions of tons of cargo across countries and continents.

All the states of the world have developed some kind of railways network that connects all the economic and strategic locations for their effective management. One can only marvel at the tunnels dug through the mountains and Meta lines running through vast swathes of deserts to witness how the railways connect the world into a whole.

Rail Lines in Pakistan

Rail lines in Pakistan are divided into three main lines and three branch lines. The main lines are Karachi-Peshawar Line (ML-1), Kotri-Attock Line (ML2), and Rohri-Chaman Line (ML-3). Railways are the second-largest institution of Pakistan despite their deteriorating state in the past few years. Whereas the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has initiated a number of transportation projects spreading the route and line of Pakistan.

ML-2 Project

 ML-2 is under a process of expansion of its 1,254km line that stretches between Kotri in Sindh province to Attock in the province of Punjab via Larkana and Dera Ghazi Khan. The government has also decided to connect it with Gwadar by building a track from Gwadar to Mastung of 900-kilometers. According to the plan, a railway line will be built from Gwadar to Quetta and Jacobabad via Besima tehsil in Balochistan, and a 560km track will be laid from Bostan to Kotla Jam on the ML-2 via Zhob and Dera Ismail Khan, as well as a 682km track from Havelian to Khunjerab.

This project will also explore the role of Gwadar as a vital segment of China’s supply chain. Moreover, this railway line can have the potential to connect the trade route with China’s Maritime Silk Road. This is how it can reform the future of Balochistan. This railway line will not just be a track for national trade and transportation, but also a key node from where all the shipments to and from Pakistan will be directed. It will act as a bridge between the Continental and Maritime Silk routes.

Thankful to Rehma Fatima for the information about the ML-2 Project.