Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan Sign Rail Link Study Deal

News Desk

Islamabad: Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan signed an agreement on Thursday to jointly conduct a feasibility study for a major railway project aimed at linking Central Asia with Pakistani seaports through Afghanistan, according to Dawn.com. Officials believe the initiative will significantly enhance regional trade and connectivity.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced the development in a post on X from Kabul, where he was on a day-long visit to attend the signing ceremony.

“I congratulate the people and governments of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan on the signing of the Framework Agreement for the Joint Feasibility Study of the Naibabad–Kharlachi rail link under the UAP Railway Corridor,” Dar stated. He also expressed appreciation to the foreign ministers of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan for their cooperation and commitment throughout the negotiation process.

Dar emphasized that the proposed railway represents a “major milestone” in promoting regional economic integration by providing landlocked Central Asian states access to Pakistan’s ports. The railway will traverse Termiz in Uzbekistan, Mazar-i-Sharif and Logar in Afghanistan, and enter Pakistan through the Kharlachi border crossing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is expected to support both freight and passenger transportation, facilitating regional and bilateral commerce.

The agreement is a continuation of a 2023 commitment by the three countries to advance this strategic project.

During his Kabul visit, Dar met with Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. His delegation included Pakistan’s Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi and other senior officials. The Pakistani Foreign Office noted that both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral ties and enhance collaboration in trade, transit, and security.

“They agreed to stay engaged to fully harness the potential of regional economic growth, particularly through the implementation of trans-regional connectivity initiatives,” the statement said.

Dar credited the groundwork for the agreement to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership, noting that he had been tasked with spearheading the effort during his tenure as finance minister. “Together, we laid the foundation for this transformative project,” Dar said.

The visit also included planned meetings with Afghanistan’s acting prime minister to discuss bilateral relations and share perspectives on regional and global issues.