Afghanistan and Uzbekistan advance railway cooperation, discuss Trans-Afghan project

Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding railway cooperation, with officials from both countries holding talks on key cross-border infrastructure projects, including the proposed Trans-Afghan railway.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Works said a technical delegation led by Deputy Minister for Railways Mohammad Ishaq Sahibzada visited Uzbekistan to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation and accelerate the implementation of strategic railway projects.

During the visit, the Afghan delegation met with Zafar Nazarov, Director General of Uzbekistan Railways, to review ongoing cooperation and explore measures to improve regional rail connectivity and freight transport between the neighboring countries.

According to the ministry, technical teams focused on several priority projects, including the launch of feasibility studies for the Trans-Afghan railway, a proposed corridor that would connect Uzbekistan with Pakistan through Afghanistan, creating a shorter trade route between Central and South Asia.

The two sides also discussed the handover of feasibility study and survey documents for the planned Herat–Mazar-e-Sharif railway to the Afghan authorities, as well as plans to construct additional logistics facilities and warehouses and develop branch lines at the fourth port of the Hairatan–Mazar-e-Sharif railway.

Another key topic was increasing freight capacity along the Hairatan railway corridor, Afghanistan’s main rail gateway to Uzbekistan, with both sides examining ways to facilitate the movement of commercial goods and improve services for traders and investors.

The Ministry of Public Works said the discussions underscored the importance of strengthening railway cooperation to boost trade, transit and regional economic integration.

Officials said closer collaboration between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan would not only deepen bilateral economic ties but also reinforce Afghanistan’s role as a regional transit hub linking the markets of Central and South Asia.

The ministry added that continued investment in railway infrastructure and cross-border transport networks has the potential to expand regional connectivity, reduce transportation costs and support long-term economic development for both countries and the wider region.