ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will undertake a one-day visit to Kabul to sign the Framework Agreement on the Joint Feasibility Study for the trilateral railway agreement involving Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP), the Foreign Office announced on Thursday.
The UAP Railway Project envisions a strategic rail corridor linking Uzbekistan and Pakistan via Afghanistan. The proposed route will run through Termiz in Uzbekistan, pass through Mazar-i-Sharif and Logar in Afghanistan, and enter Pakistan through the Kharlachi border crossing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“The railway project aims to establish a direct rail connection between Uzbekistan and Pakistan through Afghanistan, enhancing access to Pakistani seaports for Central Asian states,” the Foreign Office stated. “By enabling regional trade and transit, the project is expected to contribute to regional stability, economic growth, and development.”
The agreement marks a key step towards implementing the project, which is expected to support both freight and passenger services, while strengthening bilateral and transit trade among the participating countries.
Dar will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, and the Secretary of the Ministry of Railways.
During the visit, Dar is scheduled to meet with Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister and will also call on the acting Prime Minister of Afghanistan to discuss bilateral ties and exchange views on regional and international developments.
Earlier this month, Dar held a conversation with Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov to review progress on the Framework Agreement. In June, Pakistan and Uzbekistan reaffirmed their commitment to launching work on the trilateral railway corridor, calling it a milestone for regional integration and enhanced trade cooperation.
Trump may visit Pakistan this year
US President Donald Trump is expected to visit Pakistan on September 18 as part of his forthcoming tour of South Asia, diplomatic sources revealed.
As part of his itinerary, Trump is scheduled to visit both Pakistan and India, aligning with regional engagements including the upcoming Quad leaders’ summit in New Delhi. While his visit to India appears confirmed, a brief stopover in Pakistan—either en route or on his return—is being considered, though official confirmation is still awaited from both capitals.
In remarks following his recent meeting with Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, at the White House, Trump underscored Pakistan’s critical role in regional peace, particularly in the context of growing tensions between Iran and Israel.
“Pakistan knows Iran better than we do,” Trump said, confirming that the Iran-Israel situation was a key topic of discussion during his talks with General Munir. “They’re a key player in ensuring regional stability.”
The meeting—a rare one-on-one engagement between a US president and a Pakistani military leader—was held in the White House Cabinet Room, followed by a luncheon hosted in General Munir’s honour.
2 Comments
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here The sketch is attractive your authored material stylish nonetheless you command get got an impatience over that you wish be delivering the following unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike
Hi Neat post Theres an issue together with your web site in internet explorer may test this IE still is the marketplace chief and a good component of people will pass over your fantastic writing due to this problem