Pakistan and Uzbekistan have agreed to move forward with the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Uzbekistan Railway Transit Corridor project, marking a major step toward regional connectivity.
The decision was made during a meeting between Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi and Uzbekistan’s Ambassador Ali Shir Takhtaev in Islamabad. Both sides discussed plans to enhance cooperation in the railway sector and finalize a joint strategy for completing the project.
The 850-kilometre corridor will include the construction of a 647-kilometre railway line through Afghanistan. Once operational, it will become the first direct rail link between Central and South Asia.
Officials described the project as a game-changer for regional trade and economic growth. It is expected to transport up to 15 million tons of cargo annually, significantly boosting import and export volumes across the region.
The rail link is seen as a strategic move to open new trade routes, reduce transit costs, and strengthen economic ties among the participating nations.