Afghan and Uzbek railway officials have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cross-border connectivity, vowing to accelerate joint infrastructure projects that promise to transform the region into a major transit corridor.
During a visit by an Afghan technical delegation to Uzbekistan, Mawlavi Mohammad Ishaq Sahibzada, the Afghan Deputy Minister for Railways, held high-level talks with Zafar Nazarov, the head of Uzbekistan’s Railway Authority. The discussions centered on fast-tracking railway expansion and enhancing bilateral cooperation in the transport sector.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Public Works, the meeting attended by technical experts from both nations covered several critical initiatives. These include the immediate launch of surveys and feasibility studies for the ambitious Afghanistan–Trans railway project. Additionally, Uzbek officials agreed to hand over essential survey documents for the Herat–Mazar-i-Sharif railway line to Afghan authorities.
The agenda also focused on logistics and trade efficiency. Both sides discussed the establishment of new facilities, warehouses, and branch lines at the fourth port area of the existing Hairatan–Mazar-i-Sharif route, alongside measures to significantly boost freight volumes along the Hairatan railway corridor.
Emphasizing the broader economic impact, the officials stressed the need to expand bilateral cooperation, streamline trade relations, and offer greater incentives to traders and investors.
The Ministry underscored that deepening railway cooperation with Uzbekistan is a strategic priority. It will not only reinforce mutual trust but also enhance Afghanistan’s pivotal role as a transit bridge connecting Central and South Asia.
Ultimately, the expansion is expected to drive regional economic growth, increase trade flows, and strengthen overall transport connectivity across the continent.
