Pakistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan Sign Railway Pact to Boost Regional Trade and Connectivity

Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan on Thursday signed a trilateral framework agreement to advance the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project—an ambitious initiative aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and trade.

The agreement, signed in Kabul, focuses on conducting a joint feasibility study for the construction of a 640-kilometer railway linking Uzbekistan to Pakistan through Afghanistan. The pact was signed by Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Works, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport, and Pakistan’s Ministry of Railways.

Senior officials, including Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, and Uzbek Foreign Minister Baxtiyor Saidov, witnessed the signing ceremony.

According to a statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, the project will offer Central Asian countries direct access to Pakistani seaports, significantly boosting trade and transit opportunities across the region. It described the signing as an “important step” toward implementing the strategic rail link, which is expected to support economic growth and regional stability.

The proposed railway will stretch from Uzbekistan’s Termez border town to Hairatan in northern Afghanistan, pass through Kabul and Logar, and enter Pakistan via Kharlachi in the Kurram district.

During his visit, Deputy Prime Minister Dar also held talks with Afghan Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to peace, security, and expanded cooperation on trade and transit. They agreed to maintain high-level engagement to strengthen bilateral ties.

Dar also met with Amir Khan Muttaqi, where both sides emphasized accelerating efforts to deepen economic and security cooperation. They expressed a shared commitment to unlocking the full potential of regional connectivity through projects like the UAP Railway.