Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to long-term economic transformation, highlighting efforts to dismantle administrative bottlenecks and implement strategic reforms to restore macroeconomic stability and investor confidence. During a meeting with Yingming Yang, the Vice President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for South, Central, and West Asia, in Islamabad, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of ongoing economic reforms and infrastructure development, particularly the modernization of the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway corridor.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister acknowledged the role of the Asian Development Bank in supporting Pakistan’s urban infrastructure, transport, and public service projects. The discussions between the two leaders centered on the ML-1 railway corridor, a critical project aimed at enhancing freight logistics and regional trade connectivity between Karachi and Peshawar. The Prime Minister underscored the need for early groundbreaking on ML-1 to drive infrastructure development and modernize connectivity.

The meeting also explored potential collaborations in areas such as private sector support, energy and food security, export competitiveness, and advancements in artificial intelligence and information technology. Both parties pledged to align their efforts with the strategic priorities outlined in the Country Partnership Strategy 2026-2030, aiming to achieve sustainable growth and improve living standards in Pakistan.