Three nations explore new railway route through Afghanistan

KABUL (TOLONews): Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and the United Arab Emirates have signed a memorandum of cooperation to explore the development of a new railway route through Afghanistan and Pakistan. According to Uzbek media reports, the route will begin in Kazakhstan and pass through Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, providing Central Asian countries with access to Pakistan's seaports. Under the memorandum, the three countries will conduct technical and economic studies of the project and assess the feasibility of constructing the required infrastructure and related facilities. The project aims to improve transport connectivity between Central and South Asia and create greater opportunities for trade, transit, and investment. Some economic experts say the implementation of the route would place Afghanistan at the center of a railway corridor linking Central Asia with Pakistan's seaports and could enhance Afghanistan's role as a regional transit hub. Jannat Fahim Chakari, an economic expert, said: 'With the implementation of this project, Afghanistan, in addition to other economic benefits, could collect transit fees from the railway. This would depend on proper follow-up of the agreements and engagements, careful assessment of all aspects, and their practical implementation.' Mirshakib Mir, another economic expert, said: 'If this project is implemented seriously and effectively, it could help strengthen Afghanistan's position as a transit hub in the regional economy and create revenue and employment opportunities in the country. Afghanistan could also use its economic potential to expand commerce and facilitate regional trade.' Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan says the implementation of the project could strengthen Afghanistan's strategic position and turn the country into a link between Central and South Asia. Abdul Latif Nazari, the ministry's professional deputy minister, said: 'This project could strengthen Afghanistan's transit position and effectively turn the country into a regional link in the economic and transit sectors.' This is not the only regional railway project proposed through Afghanistan. The Trans-Afghan corridor connecting Afghanistan with Pakistan, the Kazakhstan–Turkmenistan–Afghanistan route with access to Pakistan, and the Torghundi–Herat railway are among other projects proposed to expand regional rail connectivity.