Uzbekistan and Pakistan Discuss Trans-Afghan Railway Project

Regional connectivity projects including the Termez-Kabul railway line, the Trans-Afghan Railway, and the multimodal Belarus-Russia-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan transport corridor, are key to the region’s success, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan Alisher Tukhtayev said during a meeting with Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday.

The two officials discussed a range of issues as well as coordinating efforts to ensure stability and deepen economic integration in the region.

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Trans-Afghan Railway: A Catalyst for Integration

Asif pointed out that Tashkent has become an important hub for regional cooperation, Pakistani media reported Monday.

The officials focused on implementing the Trans-Afghan Railway project, expecting it to serve as a powerful stimulus for trade-economic integration across numerous countries.

The ambassador said the governments of Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan are actively cooperating in the implementation of joint economic and infrastructure projects and one of them is the construction of the Trans-Afghan Railway.

He said the “Termez-Kabul-Peshawar” railway project plays an important role in restoring ties of regional connectivity between Central and South Asia.

He added that once they launch the project, the volume of trade will increase significantly, and shipping costs will decrease.

Tukhtayev said the railway connectivity will contribute hugely to regional stability and overall prosperity by aiding Afghanistan’s economic recovery.

He also said the project will facilitate the delivery of Uzbek goods to world markets through Pakistani ports. It will open up a new route for Pakistan to export its products to Central Asian and European markets.

According to him, the Trans-Afghan railway will carry up to 20 million tons of cargo per year. It will reduce transportation costs by 30-35%. Additionally, it will cut delivery times from two weeks to three to four days.

He also stated that they are actively promoting the international cooperation project for developing the multimodal transport corridor Belarus-Russia-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan–Pakistan.

This news is sourced from [Ariana News] and is for informational purposes only.