Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan addressed the Silk Way Transport Forum in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on Tuesday. He highlighted Pakistan’s strategic role in linking South Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia through road and trade corridors.

He stressed the importance of the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul road link for Pakistan and the broader region. The minister also noted that flagship projects under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Belt and Road Initiative align with Pakistan’s vision for sustainable growth by 2030. He said CPEC connects with other regional corridors under the ECO and SCO frameworks, while Pakistan’s membership in TIR and the Quadrilateral Transit Agreement further strengthens connectivity.

Abdul Aleem Khan explained that trade corridors can transform landlocked states into land-linked economies. He added that digital transformation is enhancing efficiency and transparency in the communication sector. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to support regional cooperation across Eurasia, which he described as the world’s most important landmass. However, he cautioned that customs regulations and visa restrictions remain barriers to deeper integration.

The Silk Way Transport Forum brought together transport ministers from 12 countries, including Türkiye, Iran, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Russia. Kazakhstan’s Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev warmly welcomed the Pakistani delegation and acknowledged Pakistan’s active role in regional initiatives.

On the sidelines, Abdul Aleem Khan met his Kazakh counterpart to discuss new direct flights, easing travel procedures, and issuing multiple-entry visas for business communities. He invited Kazakhstan to attend Pakistan’s upcoming Regional Transport Conference on October 23–24.

During talks, both sides agreed to establish a joint logistics company between NLC and KTZ Express. Pakistan Post and KazPost also expressed readiness to cooperate on e-commerce projects. The Kazakh minister assured Pakistan of stronger cooperation and recognized CPEC’s potential benefits for Kazakhstan and the wider region.

The Silk Way Transport Forum concluded with commitments from participating nations to work on stronger connectivity, enhanced trade, and regional prosperity.

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