Pakistan-Central Asia Connectivity: Role of Railways

Prosperity and progress require shared inter regional and intra-regional collaboration, utilizing resources at their maximum and exploring new avenues for transit and trade. Being part of a landlocked but resource-rich region, Central Asian states require improved access to regional markets including Pakistan, China, India and the countries of West Asia. And countries like Pakistan also need to boost trade with Central Asia. As a result of this possible mutual collaboration and economic benefits, railways can constitute a strategic opportunity for Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan to transport their goods and market them more competitively on the regional and global market, while also benefiting other countries through CPEC. Uzbekistan s Deputy Prime Minister Elyor Ganiev paid a two day visit to Pakistan on 27th of May and met with Prime Minister Imran Khan and briefed him on the transport railway corridor Uzbekistan-Mazar-i-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar. Uzbekistan shared with Pakistan its plan for an international railway route connecting the two countries via Afghanistan.