Pakistan, Afghanistan & Uzbekistan Sign Pact to Launch UAP Railway Feasibility Study

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is in Kabul today to sign a framework agreement that will launch a joint feasibility study for the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project, according to the Foreign Office.

This major regional project aims to connect Central Asia directly to Pakistani seaports, giving Uzbekistan, a landlocked country, access to international maritime trade routes through Afghanistan.

🌍 A Game-Changer for Regional Trade & Connectivity

The proposed UAP rail corridor is expected to:

• Strengthen regional connectivity

• Boost trade and economic cooperation

• Support long-term political and economic stability

• Improve transit infrastructure in South and Central Asia

Pakistan views this project as a vital step in its strategy to become a regional trade and transit hub. With improved access routes, Pakistan aims to deepen economic partnerships with Central Asia while ensuring smoother and more reliable trade through Afghanistan.

“The visit shows how much importance Pakistan places on turning the UAP Railway Project into reality,” the Foreign Office said in its statement.

✍️ Framework Agreement Signing in Kabul

The tripartite agreement will be signed between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan in Kabul. This move is considered a key milestone in turning years of discussion into action, especially since the idea of linking Uzbekistan to Pakistani ports through rail has been in planning since 2017.

🔁 Renewed Diplomatic Engagement with Kabul

During his stay, Ishaq Dar is also expected to meet with:

• Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister

• Afghanistan’s acting prime minister

These meetings will cover a wide range of topics, from bilateral issues to regional and global matters.

This visit reflects a gradual thaw in relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which have been tense due to rising cross-border militancy.

⚠️ Background: Strained Ties & Security Concerns

• Pakistan has long accused Afghan-based groups, especially Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), of launching attacks across the border.

• Islamabad has urged the Taliban government to prevent militant operations from Afghan territory.

• In December, reports emerged of Pakistani airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, killing dozens of civilians, though Pakistan has not officially confirmed these.

🤝 China-Led Diplomatic Talks Spark Progress

In May 2025, a trilateral meeting hosted by China in Beijing brought together foreign ministers from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China.

This summit resulted in:

• An agreement in principle to restore ambassadors

• Renewed commitment to regional cooperation

• Support for the UAP Railway as a shared goal

The UAP railway pact is being hailed as one of the first real outcomes of this diplomatic revival between Islamabad and Kabul.

📝 Conclusion

The launch of the joint feasibility study for the UAP Railway Project marks a significant breakthrough in Pakistan-Afghanistan-Uzbekistan cooperation. It has the potential to reshape trade routes in the region, strengthen political ties, and improve connectivity from Central Asia to the Arabian Sea.