In a major step towards strengthening regional economic integration, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan signed the Trilateral Framework Agreement on the Joint Feasibility Study for the Naibabad–Kharlachi rail link on Thursday. The agreement falls under the broader Uzbek–Afghan–Pak (UAP) Railway Corridor initiative, aiming to link Central Asian nations with Pakistani seaports via Afghanistan.
The signing ceremony was held in Kabul and witnessed by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, alongside his Afghan and Uzbek counterparts. Dar led a high-level Pakistani delegation for a daylong visit focused on the agreement and discussions with Afghan leadership.
Congratulating the other signatories, Dar emphasized the collaborative nature of the project. “We remained closely engaged throughout the negotiation process to finalize the details,” he stated on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
The UAP Railway Corridor is poised to become a critical transport link, enhancing regional trade, transit, and connectivity. The proposed railway line will provide landlocked Central Asian states direct access to ports in Pakistan, boosting trade opportunities and regional economic growth.
Dar was joined by Pakistan’s Minister for Railways, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister and Representative for Afghanistan, and the Secretary of the Ministry of Railways, signifying Pakistan’s high-level commitment to the venture.
Beyond the signing, Dar met with Afghan Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund. According to the Foreign Office, the two leaders discussed a wide range of shared concerns, including trade, transit, regional peace and security. They also reaffirmed the outcomes of their previous meeting and pledged to maintain regular high-level engagement.
Dar also met Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to exchange views on bilateral relations and regional developments. Both sides stressed the need to sustain momentum in improving trade, security, and connectivity.
They agreed to deepen cooperation and stay engaged to realize the full potential of regional development through enhanced trans-regional connectivity projects like the UAP Railway Corridor.
