Uzbekistan, Pakistan Discuss Trans-Afghan Rail Project and Cargo Train Service

ISLAMABAD– A delegation led by Uzbek Minister for Transport Makhamov Ilkhom met Federal Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati at the Ministry of Railways here at Ministry of Railways Islamabad today.

The meeting was held in connection with the Trans-Afghan Rail Project. Bilateral relations, cargo train service and other important issues were discussed during the meeting. Under this project, Pakistan and Uzbekistan will be connected by rail link through Afghanistan.

Later, other Central Asian countries, such as Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, will also be able to join the proposed rail link. This important project will enable cargo service between Pakistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan today signed a three-nation joint appeal to the World Bank for financing Trans-Afghan Rail Link project; the signing ceremony took place in the presence of the Uzbek delegation, this rail link would be a momentous step forward in the economic development of all the three countries.

Federal Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati, Advisor on Trade and Investment Abdul Razzaq Dawood, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood and Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Muhammad Azam were also present on the occasion.

It should be noted that this trilateral joint appeal has already been signed by the President of Afghanistan and the President of Uzbekistan. In this regard, the three countries will appeal to the President of the World Bank for 4.8 billion dollars financing, the World Bank authorities are already on board in response to this appeal.

This railway link will be crucial to economic development of the three countries, CARs and will help strengthening the regional ties. With the funds raised under this joint appeal, a 573 km long railway link will be laid. This shortest economic track would run from Peshawar to Kabul and from Kabul to Uzbekistan via Mazar-e-Sharif.

On this shortest and economically attractive route’ 27 stations, 912 artificial constructions and 7 tunnels will be established to facilitate cargo movement. On this occasion Federal Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati vowed to strengthen economy through joint venture and regional connectivity, this will also obliterate terrorism from the region, he further added.

Kudratov Laziz – First Deputy Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Sidiqov Furqat – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashmatov Sadulla – Charged’ Affairs of Uzbekistan to Pakistan were part of the Uzbek delegation.— PRESS RELEASE