Islamabad: Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan discussed the initiation of a feasibility study for the Trans-Afghan Railway project, according to news published on January 6.
The trilateral working group meeting was held in Islamabad to review the progress made on the technical assessments. The meeting also reviewed the next steps for early initiation of the feasibility of the project. It was mentioned that the said project will connect Pakistan with the Central Asian Republics by linking the existing railway link at Mazar-i-Sharif with the Pakistan Railways network.
As per the details, the railway line will start from Mazar-i-Sharif in northern Afghanistan, will pass through Kabul and end at Peshawar. The railway line will support both freight services and passengers. The said project is expected to improve the region’s economy and connectivity. The Railway Ministry shared that the Trans-Afghan Railway project will facilitate bilateral and regional trade between the three countries along with better people-to-people connection.
It is important to note that three countries have already signed a roadmap strategic plan for the construction of a 573-kilometre Trans-Afghan railway to connect Central Asia with the ports on the Arabian Sea. Under the agreement, the countries will conduct a joint expedition for surveying the route, and its terrain and a preliminary feasibility study for the project.
The meeting was co-chaired by Ministry of Railways Additional Secretary Syed Mazhar Ali Shah and Alhaaj Mullah Bakht-ur-Rahman Sharafat from Afghanistan and Kamalov Akmal Saidakabarovich from Uzbekistan, who joined through a video link.
Iqra holds BS in International Relations and is passionate about writing engaging content on trending real estate topics. When not working, she is either spending time with family, shopping, or discussing shows & movies.
