Pakistan, Uzbekistan & Afghanistan Sign Landmark Railway Agreement for Regional Connectivity
ISLAMABAD – In a significant move toward boosting regional trade and connectivity, Pakistan has signed a trilateral railway agreement with Uzbekistan and Afghanistan to develop the Naibabad–Kharlachi rail link, a vital part of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Corridor.
The announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday during a high-level visit to Kabul.
🚆 A Game-Changing Railway Project
The newly signed agreement outlines a Framework for a Joint Feasibility Study of the Naibabad–Kharlachi railway line, which aims to connect Central Asia with Pakistani seaports via Afghanistan. This transformational initiative is expected to:
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Enhance trade and transit routes
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Improve regional economic integration
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Offer landlocked Central Asian nations direct access to international markets through Pakistan
The Foreign Office termed the railway corridor a milestone project that could significantly reduce transit times and transport costs, making trade more efficient across the region.
🤝 High-Level Ceremony in Kabul
The signing ceremony took place in Kabul, where Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was accompanied by:
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Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi
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Special Representative for Afghanistan
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Railways Secretary of Pakistan
Dar also held bilateral talks with Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing trade, transit, and security cooperation.
🗺️ Strategic Impact & Diplomatic Engagement
This agreement is part of a broader strategy by Islamabad to position Pakistan as a regional trade hub. By upgrading its connectivity infrastructure and fostering stronger diplomatic ties, Pakistan aims to:
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Facilitate access to Gwadar and Karachi ports for Central Asia
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Promote peace and stability through economic cooperation
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Strengthen ties with Afghanistan via development and transit initiatives
Earlier this month, Pakistan elevated its diplomatic presence in Afghanistan by upgrading its Chargé d’Affaires to ambassador, signaling a deeper level of engagement.
🔄 Continued Coordination with Afghanistan
In addition to the railway agreement, Pakistan and Afghanistan recently initiated a new additional secretary-level dialogue mechanism to coordinate on key issues such as:
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Cross-border trade and movement
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Transit agreements
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Infrastructure cooperation
🌍 What This Means for the Region
The UAP railway corridor represents a major step toward regional economic integration, particularly at a time when intra-Asian trade and transit logistics are gaining global attention. The project has the potential to become a critical trade artery, linking South Asia, Central Asia, and beyond.
Stay tuned for further updates as Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan take the next steps toward turning this strategic vision into reality.
