The trilateral agreement signed on July 17, 2025, between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan to conduct a joint viability study for the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project marks a significant moment in regional connectedness and economic unification. This project aims to create a direct, efficient rail link extending approximately 573 to 760 kilometers, connecting Central Asia with South Asia by linking Uzbekistan to Pakistan via Afghanistan.
Economic and Strategic Significance
One of the most pivotal aspects of the UAP Railway Project is its potential to improve economic connections. The railway will reduce cargo delivery times by about five days and cut transport costs by at least 40% by providing Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries direct access to Pakistani seaports, which is crucial for trade and regional logistics. The railway is designed to handle both cargo, with projections of up to 15-20 million tons annually, and passenger traffic, promoting greater economic and people-to-people connectivity. The route covers key Afghan provinces like Balkh, where Mazar-i-Sharif is located, and Logar, before entering Pakistan through the Kharlachi border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This routing is internationally strategic as it makes Afghanistan a critical transit corridor, potentially improving and stabilizing its economy and deepening political ties among the three countries. For Pakistan, establishing itself as a regional connectivity hub is a strategic aspiration, especially in improving access to Central Asia, which remains relatively loosely connected due to geographical and political challenges.
Challenges and Political Will
Despite the project’s promising prospects, it has faced challenges, notably the political changes in Afghanistan. After the Taliban returned to power in 2021, construction plans were delayed. However, the Taliban government reasserted its commitment to the project, and by 2022, expeditionary work restarted to finalize a cost-effective route and viability details. Uzbekistan and Pakistan have shown strong political will by setting up an office in Tashkent and engaging in continuous technical collaborations to push the project forward. The financial scale of the project is substantial, with reported estimated costs ranging from approximately $4.8 billion to over $8 billion, depending on different assessments. This investment is significant but justified by the long-term trade and transit dividends expected for the entire region, spanning from the European Union through Russia, Central and South Asia, up to Southeast Asia. Another technical challenge relates to railway gauge compatibility. The project involves multiple rail gauges across countries. Uzbekistan uses a 1520mm gauge while Pakistan uses a 1676mm gauge, necessitating complex engineering solutions like dual gauge tracks to ensure smooth freight and passenger operations without significant delays.
Conclusion: A Vision for Regional Integration and Growth
In conclusion, the UAP Railway Project symbolizes a visionary initiative that goes beyond infrastructure development; it embodies a strategic effort to integrate South and Central Asia economically and politically. By improving connectivity and transit, it promises to stimulate trade, reduce reliance on longer and costlier routes, and foster regional peace through economic cooperation. While security concerns in Afghanistan and technical hurdles remain, the trilateral framework agreement signed in Kabul demonstrates a shared commitment to overcoming these obstacles and advancing a transport corridor with profound regional implications. This railway corridor is poised to become an economic lifeline for landlocked Central Asian states, a transit gateway for Pakistan, and a source of hope for stability and growth in Afghanistan, thus reshaping the broader dynamics of regional cooperation and development in Asia.
