Uzbek Ambassador to Pakistan Talks Trans-Afghan Railway Project with Pakistani Minister

The two officials discussed a range of issues as well as coordinating efforts to ensure stability and deepen economic integration in the region.

Photo: www.ariananews.af

During a meeting with Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday, Uzbekistan's Ambassador to Pakistan, Alisher Tukhtayev, emphasized the importance of regional connectivity projects for the success and development of the region. These projects include the Termez-Kabul railway line, the Trans-Afghan Railway, and the multimodal transport corridor connecting Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Ambassador Tukhtayev highlighted how these initiatives could foster closer regional cooperation, enhance trade, and improve infrastructure connectivity, The Caspian Post reports citing foreign media.

The two officials discussed a range of issues as well as coordinating efforts to ensure stability and deepen economic integration in the region.

Asif however pointed out that Tashkent has become an important hub for regional cooperation, Pakistani media reported Monday.

Special focus was given to the implementation of the Trans-Afghan Railway project, which is expected to serve as a powerful stimulus for trade-economic integration to numerous countries.

The ambassador said the governments of Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan are actively cooperating in the implementation of joint economic and infrastructure projects and one of them is the construction of the Trans-Afghan Railway.

He said the “Termez-Kabul-Peshawar” railway project plays an important role in restoring ties of regional connectivity between Central and South Asia.

He added that once the project is launched, the volume of trade will increase significantly and shipping costs will decrease.

Tukhtayev said the railway connectivity will contribute hugely to regional stability and overall prosperity by aiding Afghanistan’s economic recovery.

He also said the project will facilitate the delivery of Uzbek goods to world markets through Pakistani ports and will open up a new route for Pakistan to export its products to Central Asian, and European markets.

According to him, the Trans-Afghan railway will be able to carry up to 20 million tons of cargo per year, and transportation costs will decrease by 30-35% and timing of deliveries will be cut from two weeks to three to four days.

He also stated that the international cooperation project on the development of the multimodal transport corridor Belarus-Russia-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan–Pakistan is being actively promoted.