Pakistan’s Prime Minister Calls “Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan” Railway a Breakthrough Regional Project

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The “Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan” (UAP) railway project is a “breakthrough for the region,” Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated during a meeting with Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The UAP project envisions the creation of a new trade and transit corridor connecting Uzbekistan with Pakistan via Afghanistan, providing Central Asian countries with direct access to Pakistani seaports.

During the meeting, Sharif emphasized Pakistan’s readiness to work closely with Uzbekistan on regional transport connectivity and noted that the railway would be transformative not only for the two countries but for the entire region. He also confirmed Pakistan’s willingness to jointly attract financing for the project based on the developed feasibility study and business plan.

Previously, President Mirziyoyev signed a decree approving an international agreement formalizing cooperation with neighboring countries in the transport sector.

The document ratifies an intergovernmental framework agreement between Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Works, and Pakistan’s Ministry of Railways for the joint development of a feasibility study for the construction of a new railway line from Naibabad to Kharlacha.

The agreement, signed on 17 July 2025 in Kabul, establishes key mechanisms for collaboration in implementing the project. Its aim is to accelerate the realization of this strategically important initiative, which will form the foundation of a unified transport hub in Eurasia and strengthen regional cooperation.

The draft agreement was prepared by railway experts from the three countries following arrangements reached at the February meeting of the heads of Uzbekistan and Pakistan. During preliminary preparations, the parties completed internal approval procedures and a series of video conferences among relevant agencies.

Under the signed agreement, the lead client for all work on the feasibility study is the tripartite Project Office established in May 2023 under JSC “Uzbekiston Temir Yullari” — the Project Office for the Development Strategy of International Digital Transport Corridors. This office already maintains branches in Kabul and Islamabad.