ISLAMABAD: Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, has unveiled an ambitious railway proposal that could transform Eurasian trade by linking Kazakhstan to Pakistan via Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, terminating at Karachi and Gwadar ports. The project aims to connect landlocked Central Asia directly to the Arabian Sea for the first time in modern history.
Speaking exclusively to Geo News, Kistafin highlighted the project’s strategic significance, noting that political will has advanced the initiative beyond years of planning. “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is a pragmatic and results-oriented leader. His government focuses on delivery, not ceremonial diplomacy,” he said, praising Pakistan’s consistent engagement with Central Asian states.
Currently, trade between Pakistan and Kazakhstan stands at roughly $300 million annually, constrained by transit through multiple countries. The proposed rail corridor would provide a permanent, reliable route unaffected by political disruptions, offering a faster, safer, and more efficient alternative for cargo movement.
The 687-kilometre segment through Afghanistan’s western corridor, long considered the project’s main challenge, is central to the plan. Kazakhstan has committed full financing for the project, emphasizing it as a mutually beneficial investment rather than aid. Construction is expected to take approximately three years once agreements are finalized.
The railway would integrate Pakistan into major Eurasian trade networks, including the North–South International Transport Corridor and the Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor.
Central Asian exports would gain direct access to Gulf, African, and Southeast Asian markets, while Pakistan could emerge as a transit hub connecting South Asia with Central Asia, Europe, and beyond.
Kistafin stressed that the project extends beyond infrastructure. Efforts are underway to facilitate visas, tourism, and secure trade, while security and migration concerns are being addressed through direct cooperation between Kazakhstan and Pakistan authorities.
“The railway is not only about trains,” he said. “It is about changing the direction of history.” If realized, it promises to transform regional connectivity, trade, and economic opportunity across Central and South Asia.
