PM Shehbaz, Uzbek President Commit to Accelerating Trans-Afghan Railway Project

TASHKENT/ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev have pledged to fast-track the Trans-Afghan Railway Project, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening regional connectivity and economic integration across Central and South Asia.

The agreement was reached during a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the 17th Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Summit on Friday, where both leaders acknowledged the strategic significance of the railway project that aims to link Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the railway corridor would serve as a vital trade and transit route, facilitating access to global markets and enhancing inter-regional logistics.

To expedite progress, PM Shehbaz and President Mirziyoyev agreed to conduct high-level ministerial visits between Tashkent and Islamabad in the coming weeks to finalise operational frameworks, investment commitments, and regional cooperation mechanisms.

The leaders also expressed satisfaction over the growing bilateral collaboration, citing progress in areas such as trade, energy, security, cultural exchange, and investment.

“The Trans-Afghan Railway is a game-changer for regional connectivity and economic growth,” the leaders jointly noted, pledging deeper cooperation through multilateral forums and people-to-people engagements.

The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to address common regional and global challenges through collective action, emphasizing the importance of infrastructure development and transit diplomacy in the modern geopolitical landscape.