• Trans Afghan Railway Reserach Agreement, signed by foreign ministers of Afghanistan Islamic Republic, Uzbekistan Republic and Islamic Republic of Pakistan,  is expected to; link railways of Central –South Asia, accelerate trade and tourism, and deepen cultural integration under the spirit of Silk Road; friendship, dialogue, exchanges and mutual cooperation.

• Trans Afghan Railway is a connectivity project, linking Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan

By: Muhammad Arif, Editor NSN.Asia

Kabul: Trans Afghan Railway Research Agreement has been signed between the Ministry of Public Interest, Uzbekistan Transport and Pakistan Railways in the presence of foreign ministers of Afghanistan Islamic Republic, Uzbekistan Republic and Islamic Republic of Pakistan here on Thursday.

A trilateral memorandum of understanding was signed by Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan to conduct this study, with the aim of establishing a trade corridor, linking Afghanistan with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure project through CPEC.

Signature of Trans-Afghan project is a concrete seal of trust in the demand of Islamic Emirate’s semis connection and making Afghanistan regional connection center, said officials of the Afghanis.

Today at 12 noon, a senior delegation led by the Foreign Ministers of Uzbekistan and Islamic Republic of Pakistan will arrive in Kabul to participate in bilateral and trilateral meetings, the statement read.

Foreign ministers were accompanied by transport minister of Uzbekistan and railway ministers of Pakistan.

According to details, Foreign Minister Maulvi Amir Khan Matqi held a joint meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar on important topics of bilateral ties

The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar undertake a day-long visit to Kabul, Afghanistan, on 17 July 2025 signed the Framework Agreement on Joint Feasibility Study for the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project.

The DPM and FM was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Minister for Railways, SAPM/Special Representative for Afghanistan, and Secretary, Ministry of Railways.

According to official reports, the UAP Railway Project aims to build a rail link to connect Uzbekistan with Pakistan via Afghanistan and facilitate access to Pakistani seaports for Central Asian States. By facilitating regional trade and transit, the project is expected to promote regional stability, growth and development.

The DPM and FM’s visit underscores the importance Pakistan attaches to the successful realization of the UAP Railway Project. The signing of the Framework Agreement on Joint Feasibility Study between the three participating countries in Kabul will be an important step towards its implementation.

During the visit, the DPM/FM held meeting with the Afghan Acting Foreign Minister and called on Acting Prime Minister of Afghanistan to discuss bilateral matters and exchange views on regional and international developments.

• Trans-Afghan Railway: a Central and South Asia connectivity project

The Trans-Afghan Railway, also known as the Kabul Corridor, is a transformative regional connectivity project with profound implications for regional economic development across Central and South Asia

Geopolitical experts term the project a milestone railway connectivity project linking Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan) to South Asia (Pakistan, India) and beyond to the Indian Ocean, bypassing traditional chokepoints and enhancing strategic autonomy.

It will provide alternative trade routes offering Russia and Central Asian states a way to circumvent Western-controlled trade corridors, especially under current sanctions.

Move over, Trans-Afghan Railway is a symbol of integration with major development Initiatives: it aligns with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), and Eurasian economic development.

As regards the economic impact, it will enhance trade facilitation and is expected to reduce transport costs by 30–40% and time significantly. According various reports, the projected cargo capacity of Trans-Afghan Railway could reach 18–20 million tonnes annually.

In the context of Job Creation, Trans-Afghan Railway is expected to stimulates employment in construction, logistics, and related sectors besides encouraging local entrepreneurship and small business growth along the corridor.

Trans-Afghan Railway will also attract foreign direct investment (FDI) from countries like Qatar and UAE, China and Russia which are actively financing and providing technical expertise.

• Impact of Trans-Afghan Railway on Infrastructure Modernization, Regional Development,

Trans-Afghan Railway ill also incorporates advanced engineering and smart technologies for durability and efficiency besides fostering multimodal connectivity through rail with road and port infrastructure, enhancing regional logistics networks of the region.

• Trans-Afghan Railway to Foster Economic Growth, Urbanization in Afghanistan

Trans-Afghan Railway could promote development of urban centers along the route, especially in the war-torn Afghanistan, which has historically lacked robust railway infrastructure.

Besides trade and investment, Trans-Afghan Railway will promote cooperation and diplomacy as the region, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan had been the vital trade routes of ancient Silk Road.

• Trans-Afghan Railway: a Corridor of Regional Diplomacy:

Many analysts believe Trans-Afghan Railway will encourage collaboration among Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Russia, and other regional partners of development like BRI and CPEC.

It will also strengthen bilateral and multilateral ties through shared economic interests and infrastructure planning, and pave way for the peacebuilding efforts as it is expected that economic interdependence may reduce regional tensions and foster political stability.