Pakistan Foreign Minister to Sign Key Railway Deal in Kabul

Trilateral project aims to boost regional trade and connectivity

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, is set to visit Kabul for a crucial one-day trip. The purpose of his visit is to formalize a framework agreement for a joint feasibility study on the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project.

Connecting Central Asia to Pakistani Ports

This ambitious railway initiative, agreed upon by the three nations in 2023, intends to construct a vital rail link. The proposed route will traverse Termiz in Uzbekistan, Mazar-i-Sharif, and Logar in Afghanistan, ultimately entering Pakistan via the Kharlachi border crossing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The Foreign Office stated that the project’s primary goal is to connect Uzbekistan with Pakistan through Afghanistan. This infrastructure will provide Central Asian nations with improved access to Pakistan’s seaports, thereby facilitating regional, transit, and bilateral trade.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar embarking on a day-long visit to Kabul for signing the Framework Agreement on the Joint Feasibility Study for the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project. This signifies a major step towards enhancing regional connectivity and trade. pic.twitter.com/abcdef1234

— World News (@WorldNews) January 1, 2024

The Foreign Office highlighted the broader implications of the railway, noting, By facilitating regional trade and transit, the project is expected to promote regional stability, growth and development. The agreement among the participating countries is deemed an important step towards its implementation.

High-Level Delegation Joins Minister Dar

Minister Ishaq Dar will be accompanied by a distinguished delegation. This group includes Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, and the Secretary of the Ministry of Railways.

During his visit, Deputy Prime Minister Dar is also scheduled to meet with Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister. Furthermore, he will hold discussions with Afghanistan’s acting Prime Minister to delve into bilateral matters and exchange perspectives on current regional and international developments.

The groundwork for this visit included recent diplomatic engagements. Earlier this month, Dar spoke with Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, where they reviewed the progress on the UAP Railway Project’s framework agreement.

This initiative builds on previous agreements, as Pakistan and Uzbekistan decided in June to commence work on the trilateral railway transit corridor. They described the project as a pivotal moment for economic expansion and strengthening trade ties across the region.

Economic Impact of Regional Connectivity

The development of such cross-border infrastructure is crucial for economic growth. For example, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has already facilitated significant infrastructure improvements and is projected to boost Pakistan’s GDP by 2-3% annually through enhanced trade and investment opportunities (World Bank Pakistan Overview).

The UAP Railway Project is anticipated to mirror these benefits, fostering greater economic integration and stability.