Pakistan has approached Japan for financial support in the multibillion-dollar Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project as the government seeks to expand development cooperation with Tokyo.

The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Dr. Tanaka Akihiko, who led a delegation to Pakistan to explore cooperation in key development areas.

During the meeting, Cheema invited JICA to participate in financing the ML-1 project, which is already receiving support from the Asian Development Bank and other development partners.

The minister said the railway upgrade would modernize Pakistan’s transport infrastructure, improve trade and industrial connectivity, and contribute to long-term economic growth.

Dr. Tanaka recognized the importance of ML-1 and said JICA would review the proposal. The project, part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), aims to upgrade Pakistan’s primary railway corridor and improve passenger and freight services.

The government also requested Japanese cooperation in areas including skills development, rural internet connectivity, development project feasibility studies, and the preservation of Gandhara heritage sites to promote tourism.

JICA expressed willingness to consider the proposals as part of future collaboration between the two countries.

Pakistan also highlighted Japan’s longstanding development partnership, with Japanese official development assistance totaling around $11.7 billion over the past seven decades across sectors including energy, transport, agriculture, water, health, education, industry and security. Both sides agreed to continue strengthening bilateral development cooperation.