Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar visits Kabul on a one-day trip to sign a key railway agreement. The deal is part of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project, which aims to connect Central Asia with Pakistani seaports.
The Foreign Office confirmed that Dar’s visit will focus on signing the Framework Agreement for the Joint Feasibility Study of the railway project. This study represents a significant step toward establishing a direct rail link between Uzbekistan and Pakistan, which would pass through Afghanistan.
Dar visits Kabul with a high-level delegation. It includes Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan, and the Secretary of the Ministry of Railways. Together, they aim to advance a project that promises to enhance regional trade and connectivity.
The railway route will run from Termiz in Uzbekistan to Mazar-i-Sharif and Logar in Afghanistan, and enter Pakistan through the Kharlachi border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This rail link will support both freight and passenger services, offering landlocked Central Asian states easier access to global markets via Pakistani ports.
According to the Foreign Office, the project aims to strengthen regional trade, transit, and cooperation, thereby playing a crucial role in promoting regional stability, economic growth, and development. The agreement between the three countries is viewed as a significant milestone toward achieving these objectives.
While in Kabul, FM Dar is also scheduled to meet with the acting Foreign Minister and the Acting Prime Minister of Afghanistan. The meetings will cover bilateral relations and other regional issues.
Earlier this month, Dar had a phone call with Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov. They discussed progress on the Framework Agreement and stressed the importance of moving forward. In June, Pakistan and Uzbekistan had already agreed to initiate work on the project, describing it as a major step toward economic integration in the region.
As Dar visits Kabul, the trilateral railway pact is expected to bring long-term benefits for all participating countries and promote stronger ties in Central and South Asia.The OIC’s recent condemnation highlights growing international concern over regional stability. For more on the OIC’s stance, read: OIC General Secretariat Strongly Condemns the Continued Israeli Aggression on Syrian Territory
