In a significant leap for regional trade and connectivity, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan signed a trilateral framework agreement in Kabul on Thursday, paving the way for the construction of a 640-kilometer railway line linking Uzbekistan’s Termez to Pakistan’s Kurram District through Kabul and Kharlachi.
The historic agreement was signed between the ministries of transport and railways from all three countries. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, along with Afghan and Uzbek foreign ministers.
This railway project, part of a broader initiative to connect Central Asia to the Arabian Sea, will provide Uzbekistan and other landlocked nations direct access to Pakistani seaports, drastically reducing trade transit times and costs.
Key Features of the Railway Project:
- 640km track connecting Termez (Uzbekistan) to Kharlachi (Pakistan)
- Passes through key Afghan cities including Hairatan, Kabul, and Logar
- Designed to boost trade, economic growth, and regional peace
Pakistan’s Foreign Office described the initiative as a step toward sustainable development, economic integration, and long-term regional cooperation.
In addition to the signing, Ishaq Dar held bilateral meetings with top Afghan leadership including PM Mullah Hassan Akhund and Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani. These talks focused on security, trade facilitation, and border management — all seen as crucial to unlocking the railway’s full potential.
With ongoing global shifts toward regional connectivity, this trilateral project offers a promising blueprint for infrastructure-led cooperation in South and Central Asia.
