Bilateral initiative aims to position Pakistan as a key regional transit hub
In a major step toward enhancing regional connectivity, Pakistan and Russia have agreed to jointly develop extensive road and rail infrastructure linking Pakistan with Central Asia and Russia. The plan will provide landlocked countries direct access to warm water ports through Pakistan, significantly boosting trade and transit potential across the region.
The agreement was formalized during a high-level meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Communications, Abdul Aleem Khan, and Russia’s Deputy Minister of Transport, Andrey Sergeyevich Nikitin, held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) ministerial conference in Tianjin, China.
Both sides underscored the importance of accelerating infrastructure development to promote trade integration and economic growth across Eurasia. The collaboration aims to establish Pakistan as a strategic trade corridor connecting Russia, Central Asia, and beyond.
Minister Khan highlighted Pakistan’s recent advancements in transport infrastructure, including the digitisation of road networks, implementation of barrier-free motorways, mandatory electronic tagging, and enhanced surveillance through CCTV systems. He noted these reforms are key to optimising cross-border trade and regional connectivity.
Deputy Minister Nikitin welcomed the partnership and reaffirmed Russia’s interest in jointly developing transport and infrastructure projects with Pakistan, recognising their potential to reshape regional trade dynamics.
The meeting also covered the broader goals of the SCO conference, with Pakistan’s delegation—led by Minister Khan and including senior officials from the Ministry of Communications—actively engaging with counterparts from other member states.
Chinese Minister of Transport Liu Wei formally received the Pakistani delegation, which also held several bilateral meetings during the three-day conference. In his address, Minister Khan detailed Pakistan’s transport sector reforms, increased revenue from national highways and motorways over the past 15 months, and strategic connectivity plans via China and Afghanistan.
The delegation reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening regional trade through improved land connectivity and prioritising transportation as a key economic driver.
