Afghanistan Times
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The caretaker government of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan have finalized a roadmap for the swift implementation of the 760-kilometre “Afghan Trans” railway project.
The line will connect Central Asia to South Asia through Afghanistan’s Balkh and Logar provinces, aiming to boost regional trade and strengthen diplomatic ties among the three nations.
The planned railway line will begin in Termez, Uzbekistan, pass through the city of Mazar-e-Sharif in Balkh province and Logar province in Afghanistan, and terminate at the Kharlachi border crossing in Pakistan’s Kurram region.
In a recent phone call with caretaker government Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stressed the importance of finalising the agreement on the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway project.
The new route is expected to cut delivery times between Pakistan and Uzbekistan by up to five days and reduce transportation costs by at least 40 percent.
Projections suggest that by 2030, the railway could handle up to 15 million tonnes of cargo annually, transforming the route into a major economic corridor. The line is also expected to facilitate passenger travel between the participating countries.
Following high-level discussions between Uzbek and Pakistani delegations in Tashkent attended by the presidents of both countries the three parties agreed to establish a trilateral coordination committee. The committee will oversee the remaining technical studies, financing and implementation of the US$4.8 billion project, which is targeted for completion by the end of 2027.
A Pakistani source familiar with the project described the railway as more than a logistical venture, highlighting its potential to unlock Pakistan’s US$240 billion economic capacity. The source said the route would give Central Asia unprecedented access to warm-water ports and could significantly reshape regional trade dynamics.
A large portion of the project 573 kilometres will require new rail construction inside Afghanistan. Reports indicate that experts have agreed on the route and its geographical conditions, with joint surveying and preliminary feasibility studies now under way.
Beyond its economic impact, the project also symbolises deepening diplomatic relations between the participating countries. Pakistan and the Taliban recently agreed to elevate diplomatic ties to the ambassadorial level.
The initiative aligns with China’s regional ambitions under its Belt and Road Initiative. Beijing has played a behind-the-scenes role in facilitating coordination between Islamabad and the Taliban, further reinforcing its position as a regional stabiliser.
For the caretaker government, the railway offers a rare economic opportunity, with potential benefits including increased international engagement, transit revenues and greater regional integration.
