Islamabad, July 17, 2025: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is visiting Kabul today for the signing of a trilateral framework agreement on the Joint Feasibility Study for the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project, the Foreign Office confirmed Thursday.
The proposed rail link aims to connect Uzbekistan to Pakistan via Afghanistan, offering Central Asian countries direct access to Pakistani seaports. The project is envisioned as a transformative step for regional connectivity, trade facilitation, and economic integration — with broader implications for peace and development across the region.
Dar is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the Minister for Railways, the Special Representative for Afghanistan, and the Foreign Secretary — underscoring Islamabad’s commitment to advancing the project.
According to the Foreign Office, the signing of the framework agreement represents a key milestone in moving the initiative toward implementation.
During the visit, Dar will also hold talks with Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister and call on the acting Prime Minister to discuss bilateral ties and regional developments. The visit comes amid warming relations between the two countries.
In May, Pakistan announced the elevation of its Chargé d’Affaires in Kabul to ambassadorial level. Earlier this month, the two sides met under a newly established additional secretary-level mechanism to strengthen cooperation on trade, transit, cross-border mobility, and security. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to jointly address terrorism and promote stability.
