Kabul, July 17, 2025: In a significant step toward enhancing regional connectivity, Pakistan on Thursday signed a trilateral railway agreement with Afghanistan and Uzbekistan aimed at linking Central Asia with Pakistani seaports via a new rail corridor.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who witnessed the signing ceremony in Kabul, announced that the agreement marks a major milestone under the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project, which seeks to promote economic integration and stability across the region.
The three countries signed a Framework Agreement on a Joint Feasibility Study for the Naibabad–Kharlachi rail link, a key component of the broader UAP corridor.
“The UAP Railway Corridor will be transformational for regional trade, offering Central Asian states direct access to Pakistani ports,” Dar said in a post on X. He also credited the previous PDM government (2022–23) for laying the groundwork for the project, noting his own role in leading the early negotiations during his tenure as finance minister.
Dar was accompanied by Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi, the Special Representative for Afghanistan, and senior officials from the Foreign Office and Pakistan Railways.
In a statement, the Foreign Office called the agreement “an important step toward implementation,” and underscored Islamabad’s commitment to the realisation of the railway project, which is expected to unlock new economic corridors across the region.
During his visit, FM Dar also held bilateral talks with Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, where both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, transit, and security, and reaffirmed their resolve to “maintain momentum in bilateral ties” for the mutual benefit of their peoples.
Earlier this year, Pakistan upgraded its diplomatic representation in Afghanistan by elevating its Chargé d’Affaires to the level of ambassador, signalling improved bilateral relations.
The inaugural round of additional secretary-level talks between the two countries held earlier this month further reinforced commitments to enhance cross-border movement, security collaboration, and regional connectivity.
The UAP Railway Project, once realised, is expected to be a strategic game-changer for trade in South and Central Asia, fostering economic growth and long-term regional stability.
