Activists Call for Resettlement Plan Before ML-1 Railway Expansion Evictions
Rights activists and community representatives have urged the government to introduce a comprehensive resettlement plan before any eviction or demolition work begins along the Karachi–Peshawar Main Line (ML-1) railway expansion route.
At a press conference held at the Karachi Press Club, members of the ML-1 Affectees Action Committee warned that the enforcement of railway Right-of-Way (ROW) rules should not be used as justification for displacing low-income families living near railway tracks.
ML-1 project background
The Main Line 1 (Pakistan Railways) is a major infrastructure project aimed at upgrading Pakistan’s main railway network from Karachi to Peshawar to improve freight and passenger transport.
Work on the project is expected to begin in July 2026 from Karachi Port.
Concerns raised by activists
Speaking to the media, urban development experts said the government has a constitutional responsibility to provide housing to citizens, but weak housing policies have led to the growth of informal settlements (katchi abadis) along railway land.
They also claimed that while a large portion of railway-adjacent land in Karachi is occupied by commercial and residential developments, eviction pressure is mainly being placed on low-income communities.
Demand for transparency and planning
Representatives from rights groups and labour organizations said that no displacement should take place without proper planning, surveys, and transparency.
They demanded:
- Physical surveys of all affected settlements
- Clear maps showing impacted areas
- Defined railway Right-of-Way boundaries
- Public list of affected families
- Environmental impact assessment
- A complete resettlement and rehabilitation plan
Human rights representatives also stressed that affected communities must be included in consultations and decision-making processes.
The committee warned that development projects must not come at the cost of forced displacement without adequate rehabilitation measures.
