Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan Sign Trilateral Agreement on Strategic Railway Project
Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan on Thursday signed a landmark trilateral framework agreement in Kabul to advance the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project, a pivotal initiative aimed at bolstering regional connectivity and economic integration.
The agreement, focused on conducting a joint feasibility study for the UAP Railway Project, was signed by senior representatives from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Works, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport, and Pakistan’s Ministry of Railways. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, and Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Baxtiyor Saidov.
According to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the project envisions a 640-kilometre railway line linking Termez in Uzbekistan with Hairatan and Kabul in Afghanistan, ultimately extending to Logar and entering Pakistan through Kharlachi in Kurram district. The railway corridor is designed to facilitate trade and transit by providing Central Asian countries with direct access to Pakistani seaports.
“This project is expected to promote regional stability, economic growth, and development through enhanced trade and connectivity,” the statement emphasized.
The signing of the framework agreement marks a significant step toward the implementation of the UAP Railway Project. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s visit to Kabul underscores Pakistan’s strong commitment to the successful realization of this regional initiative.
Prior to the signing ceremony, Dar participated in a trilateral ministerial meeting with his Afghan and Uzbek counterparts. The meeting reaffirmed the shared vision of peace, economic integration, and sustainable development across the region. All three parties highlighted the need for continued cooperation to unlock the economic potential of Central and South Asia.
On the sidelines of the event, Foreign Minister Dar held a series of high-level meetings with the Afghan Taliban leadership, including Interim Prime Minister Mullah Hassan Akhund, Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, and Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani.
During these meetings, both sides exchanged views on a range of mutual interests, including peace and security, trade, transit cooperation, and regional connectivity. Recalling their earlier interaction on 19 April 2025, Dar and Akhund reaffirmed their commitment to sustained engagement and agreed to maintain high-level diplomatic contact to strengthen bilateral ties.
In his discussion with Interior Minister Haqqani, Dar stressed the importance of addressing regional security challenges, particularly those related to border management, as a prerequisite for maximizing the benefits of economic and infrastructural cooperation.
Dar’s visit to Kabul — his second in three months — reflects a growing momentum in Pakistan-Afghanistan engagement and highlights the importance both countries place on regional projects such as the UAP Railway, which has the potential to transform the economic landscape of Central and South Asia.
