Pakistani officials and a visiting Taliban delegation have agreed to accelerate efforts to finalise the long-delayed Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan railway project, highlighting its strategic importance for regional connectivity, trade, and border security, Afintl.af reports.
The agreement was reached during meetings in Islamabad between Taliban officials and Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The delegation was led by Noor Ahmad Noor, head of the First Political Directorate at the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the talks, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing trade, transit cooperation, and joint efforts to address security concerns. They also emphasised the need to further facilitate legal cross-border movement and improve coordination on the return of Afghan migrants.
In a joint statement, the parties pledged to maintain ongoing engagement to address shared challenges and promote regional stability.
The 573-kilometre railway project, signed in February 2021 by Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan, is designed to link landlocked Central Asia to Pakistani seaports. With an estimated cost of US$4.8 billion, the initiative is expected to significantly boost economic integration and trade across the region.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
July 8, 2025