Afghanistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan Sign Railway Pact in Kabul
Islamabad 18 July: Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan have signed a framework agreement in Kabul to conduct a joint feasibility study for the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan (UAP) Railway Corridor.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, announced the signing via X (formerly Twitter), calling it a “major milestone in advancing regional connectivity and economic integration.” Dar also thanked Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov and Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi for their “support and commitment” during the negotiation process.
“The signing of today’s agreement is a result of the leadership and commitment of the last PDM Government (2022-23), under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, when I was tasked as Finance Minister to lead this effort with our brotherly countries,” Dar added.
On the sidelines of the visit, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister also met with Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
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At the signing ceremony, Pakistan was represented by Dar, Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, and other senior officials. Uzbekistan’s delegation was led by Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, while the Taliban’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi attended on behalf of the group in Kabul.
The alignment under consideration links Uzbekistan’s Termez border crossing through Mazar-i-Sharif and Logar in Afghanistan, entering Pakistan via the Kharlachi crossing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
If built, the corridor—covering approximately 573 km—would carry both freight and passengers and reduce transit times between Uzbekistan and Pakistani seaports by up to five days while cutting transport costs by 30–40%.
The agreement notes that the anticipated UAP railway will be completed by “end of 2027,” with capacity estimates reaching 15 million tons of cargo per year by 2030.
At the event, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the railway is “an important step towards implementation” and expected to enhance regional stability, growth, and trans-regional trade via Afghanistan.
During the ceremony, Dar also met Taliban’s Prime Minister Mullah Hassan Akhund to discuss bilateral and regional developments.
