Pakistan seeks expanded ADB funding for railway and partnerships

Pakistan is seeking increased financing from the Asian Development Bank for public-private partnerships, including the flagship $10 billion Karachi-Peshawar Main Railway Line project. An ADB delegation is in Islamabad for follow-up discussions on the Country Partnership Strategy 2026-30. Pakistan has already secured $2 billion from the ADB for the Karachi-Rohri section of the ML-1 project. The Economic Affairs Division is discussing additional facilities, including innovative products like guarantees, with the Manila-based lender. The ADB vice president acknowledged Pakistan's reform progress and proposed a working group on railway institutional reforms. He also noted opportunities for innovative financing instruments, such as policy-based guarantees and Panda bond issuance.