Kabul, 17 July 2025

Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan signed a Framework Agreement on Thursday for a joint feasibility study of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project during a meeting in Kabul. The deal aims to enhance regional connectivity by linking Central Asia to Pakistani ports through Afghanistan.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan,  Ishaq Dar attended the signing ceremony, praised the agreement as a significant step toward economic integration. He credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership for advancing the project, which was initiated during the Pakistan Democratic Movement-led government.

The proposed rail link will run from Termiz (Uzbekistan) through Mazar-i-Sharif and Logar (Afghanistan) before entering Pakistan via the Kharlachi border. Once completed, it will facilitate trade, transit, and passenger movement among the three nations.

Prior to the signing, foreign ministers of the three countries reaffirmed their commitment to regional peace, trade, and development. The Foreign Office stated that sustained cooperation is essential to unlocking the region’s economic potential.

During his visit, Dar held meetings with Afghan officials, including Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties, trade, security, and regional connectivity. Dar also met Afghan Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, with both sides emphasizing the need to address security challenges for smoother economic collaboration.

The UAP Railway Project, first agreed upon in 2023, is expected to boost regional stability and development by improving access to Pakistani seaports for landlocked Central Asian states. The latest agreement marks a crucial step toward its implementation.

Earlier in June, Pakistan and Uzbekistan had pledged to accelerate work on the transit corridor, recognizing its potential to spur economic growth and trade. Dar had also discussed progress on the framework with Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov earlier this month.

The project underscores the three nations’ shared vision for enhanced connectivity and long-term prosperity in the region.