Afghanistan's Foreign Minister set to make a trip to Kabul today, aiming to ink the feasibility blueprint for the tri-nation railway collaboration project.
## A Milestone in Regional Cooperation: The UAP Railway Project
The Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project, a strategic initiative aimed at bolstering trade and transit connections between Central Asia and Pakistan, is set to take a significant step forward. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar, is scheduled to visit Kabul on Thursday, where he will sign the Framework Agreement on Joint Feasibility Study for the UAP Railway Project.
This rail link, which will pass through Termiz in Uzbekistan, Mazar-i-Sharif and Logar in Afghanistan, and enter Pakistan via the Kharlachi border crossing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is poised to serve as a vital artery linking Central Asia's landlocked economies to international markets, particularly Pakistani seaports.
The project, which forms part of broader efforts to enhance regional connectivity and trade, is anticipated to boost trade and economic activities in the region. It is expected to offer several benefits, including economic growth, regional integration, and infrastructure development.
By connecting Central Asia to Pakistani seaports, the UAP Railway Project will facilitate easier and more efficient trade routes, potentially boosting economic growth in the region. It will strengthen economic ties between participating countries and enhance regional connectivity, contributing to political stability. The project will require significant infrastructure investments, which could create jobs and stimulate local economies in the regions through which the railway passes.
The signing of the Framework Agreement on Joint Feasibility Study between the three participating countries in Kabul is an important step towards the implementation of the UAP Railway Project. Ishaq Dar will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the Minister for Railways, the Special Representative for Afghanistan, and the Secretary of the Ministry of Railways.
During his visit, Dar will hold meetings with the Afghan Acting Foreign Minister and the Acting Prime Minister of Afghanistan. The discussions will cover bilateral matters and exchange views on regional and international developments. The inter-regional rail track connecting Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan has been finalized.
The UAP Railway Project, upon completion, has the potential to turbo charge economic ties and foster deeper regional connectivity among Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The project, spanning 573 kilometers from Tashkent to Peshawar, includes connections to Gwadar and Karachi ports and has a projected cost of $4.8 billion. The successful realization of the UAP Railway Project represents a significant step towards enhancing regional cooperation and economic development among the participating countries.
- The UAP Railway Project, upon completion, is expected to drive economic growth and stimulate local economies through job creation, as it requires significant infrastructure investments.
- The signing of the Framework Agreement on Joint Feasibility Study for the UAP Railway Project is a step towards implementing this strategic initiative, which aims to boost trade and economic activities in the region.
- The successful realization of the UAP Railway Project, which forms part of broader efforts to enhance regional connectivity, could contribute to political stability by strengthening economic ties between participating countries.
