Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan Forge Landmark Railway Pact to Boost Regional Connectivity
KABUL, July 17, 2025 — In a significant stride toward regional integration, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan signed a trilateral Framework Agreement on Thursday to jointly conduct a feasibility study for the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced the milestone from Kabul, where he arrived for a day-long visit to seal the pact. “I congratulate the people and governments of our three nations on this historic agreement, which lays the foundation for a transformative rail link connecting Central Asia to Pakistan’s seaports,” Dar wrote on X.
The proposed railway corridor will stretch from Naibabad in Uzbekistan, traversing key Afghan cities including Mazar-i-Sharif and Logar, before entering Pakistan at the Kharlachi border crossing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The project promises to enhance regional trade, transit, and economic development by facilitating seamless passenger and freight movement.
This ambitious initiative stems from the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who entrusted Dar with leading negotiations alongside his Uzbek and Afghan counterparts. The three foreign ministers met prior to the signing, reaffirming their commitment to peace, economic integration, and sustained cooperation.
“The momentum we have built reflects a shared dedication to unlocking the region’s vast potential,” said the Pakistani Foreign Office in a statement.
During his visit, Dar also met Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Acting Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund. Discussions focused on bolstering trade, security, and border management—key elements to ensure the corridor’s success.
The railway is not only an economic venture but also a beacon of regional stability, designed to foster connectivity in a historically volatile area.
This agreement follows recent diplomatic efforts, including talks between Dar and Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov and signals a new chapter of cooperation that could reshape Central and South Asian trade landscapes.
