Pakistan to Uzbekistan via Afghanistan: Travel by rail soon

Dubai: An historic agreement to link Pakistan with Uzbekistan via Afghanistan by train has been signed on Thursday.

In the landmark move toward regional connectivity, officials from the three countries signed the Framework Agreement on the Joint Feasibility Study for the Naibabad - Kharlachi rail link, a core component of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Corridor, in a ceremony held in Kabul.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who led the delegation from Islamabad, hailed the agreement as a “major milestone in advancing regional connectivity and economic integration.”

Central Asia to Pakistan

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Dar wrote: “I congratulate the people and governments of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan on the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Joint Feasibility Study for the Naibabad- Kharlachi rail link under the Uzbek-Afghan-Pak (UAP) Railway Corridor.

“I also thank the Foreign Ministers of Uzbekistan @FM_Saidov & Afghanistan for their support & commitment for timely signing of the agreement. We remained closely engaged throughout the negotiation process to finalise the details. The UAP Railway Corridor ... will connect Central Asian countries to Pakistani seaports through Afghanistan.”

Dar was accompanied by Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi, Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, and the Secretary for Railways, underscoring the government’s high-level commitment to the transformative infrastructure project.

A new trade artery

The 760-kilometer Trans-Afghan railway is designed to run from Termez in Uzbekistan, through Mazar-i-Sharif and Logar in Afghanistan, and into Pakistan via the Kharlachi border crossing in Kurram district. Once completed, the corridor will reduce cargo delivery times by up to five days and lower transport costs by at least 40%, making trade between Central and South Asia faster and significantly more affordable.

By 2030, it is expected to handle 15 million tonnes of goods annually, establishing itself as a vital economic artery for a historically fragmented region.

Game-changer

As part of the next phase, the three nations will establish a Tripartite Coordination Committee to supervise technical studies, finalise financing models, and manage overall implementation. The project is projected to cost $4.8 billion and aims for completion by 2027.

“This is not just about rails and freight, it is about reshaping trade routes, unlocking economic potential, and fostering regional trust,” said a senior Pakistani official.

Afghanistan’s economic lifeline

Of the planned route, 573 kilometres of new track will be laid through Afghanistan, positioning the country as a critical transit hub. The project promises to generate jobs, attract investment, and provide much-needed revenue through transit fees.

Calling the initiative a “bridge of trust,” Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi described the agreement as a “significant milestone” that reflects growing regional diplomatic alignment. The railway deal also follows a recent agreement between Islamabad and Kabul to restore full ambassadorial-level diplomatic relations, a step seen as directly influenced by cooperation on the project.

Shifting regional influence

While not a signatory, China has been a behind-the-scenes facilitator, viewing the UAP Railway as complementary to its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Analysts note that China’s involvement reflects its broader strategy of economic integration and regional stability, and highlights India’s declining influence in post-2021 Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s strategic rebalancing

The railway supports Pakistan’s strategic vision of becoming a regional trade and transit hub, linking Central Asia, China, and the Middle East. With improving ties to its western neighbours, Pakistan is better positioned to rebalance its geopolitical bandwidth and focus on its eastern challenges, especially with India.

A model for infrastructure-led peace

The UAP Railway is now entering its execution phase. Regional leaders and analysts alike are hopeful it will become a template for economic diplomacy, where trade, infrastructure, and cooperation replace decades of distrust and underdevelopment.