Islamabad: Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan are all set to sign a joint agreement to connect the Uzbek rail network with Pakistan Railways, a news source reported on July 18.
Read: CDA shares details of new projects to be developed in Islamabad In a recent meeting of a trilateral working group, the route for the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) railways project was finalized. The railway connection will pass through Termiz in Uzbekistan, Mazar-i-Sharif, and Logar in Afghanistan, and ultimately reach Pakistan via the Kharlachi border crossing in Kurram. This meeting marked the second gathering of the working group since January. The Ministry of Railways announced that the UAP railway project aims to enhance regional, transit, and bilateral trade among the participating countries, while also improving people-to-people connections in the entire region. The railway line will accommodate both passenger and freight services, contributing to regional trade and economic growth. Moreover, the three countries agreed on a roadmap for conducting technical studies, securing financing sources, and addressing other key aspects for the early implementation of the project. According to Uzbekistan, the 760-kilometre railway is expected to significantly reduce delivery times for cargo between Uzbekistan and Pakistan, potentially by five days, while also reducing transportation costs by at least 40%. The project is estimated to be completed by the end of 2027, with trains capable of transporting up to 15 million tons of goods annually by 2030.
Read: Budget 2023-24: Islamabad to get PKR 2.2bn for development projects Furthermore, the three countries have previously signed a roadmap strategic plan to construct a Trans-Afghan railway spanning 573 kilometres, connecting Central Asia with ports on the Arabian Sea. This agreement includes provisions for conducting a joint expedition to survey the route and its terrain, as well as a preliminary feasibility study for the project.
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