Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan sign trilateral railway agreement

On July 17, a trilateral agreement was signed in Kabul to develop the technical and economic foundation for the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan Trans-Afghan Railway. The announcement was made by Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov.

“Today’s first trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan was a historic step toward deepening mutual trust, good neighborliness, and regional cooperation,” Saidov wrote on his official social media page.

He emphasized the strategic importance of the project for the entire Eurasian region, highlighting its potential to boost trade, support Afghanistan’s economic recovery, and open new trade routes to global markets via southern ports.

“We once again confirmed our support for strengthening trade ties and cooperation in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and construction, as well as expanding the use of the Termez International Trade Center,” Saidov added.

The agreement was signed by representatives of the Ministry of Public Works of Afghanistan, the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan, and the Ministry of Railways of Pakistan, in the presence of the three countries’ foreign ministers.

According to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport, the agreement focuses on preparing a feasibility study for the proposed “Termez – Naybabad – Maidanshahr – Logar – Kharlachi” railway route. The ministry noted that the deal marks a key step toward accelerating project implementation and deepening multilateral cooperation.

The Trans-Afghan Railway, first proposed in 2018, envisions connecting Termez in Uzbekistan with Afghan cities such as Mazar-i-Sharif and Kabul, and continuing to Pakistani cities including Peshawar. The railway would span more than 700 kilometers across Afghanistan, establishing a direct land route between Central Asia and the Arabian Sea.

Once completed, the route is expected to cut transportation times from Central Asia to Pakistani ports from weeks to just days, offering a faster and more cost-effective corridor for regional trade. The project also promises to unlock new markets for Afghan exports and generate much-needed transit revenue for the country.

The initiative has received support from several regional and international stakeholders, including Russia, Iran, and international financial institutions. However, progress has been hindered by financial challenges and Afghanistan’s ongoing political instability.

Despite these obstacles, the signing of the agreement to develop a feasibility study signals renewed political will among the three nations to advance the project. Afghan officials described the deal as a milestone in regional economic integration.

“This project is not only important for Afghanistan but also serves as a bridge for trade and cooperation between Central and South Asia,” the Taliban’s interim Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Officials from all three countries emphasized that improved regional infrastructure would contribute to economic stability and long-term development in Afghanistan and the broader region.