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Uzbekistan and Pakistan advance plans for Trans-Afghan transport corridor

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Uzbekistan and Pakistan are accelerating efforts to develop the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan (UAP) Transport Corridor, a key regional project aimed at linking Central Asia with South Asia through Afghanistan.

According to Trend News Agency, representatives from Uzbekistan Railways JSC and Temir Yul Cargo JSC held talks with Pakistan’s SLG Trax Group Limited to explore practical steps for expanding freight operations along the corridor.

During the meeting, the parties discussed strategies to attract new cargo flows, launch regular container train services, and set competitive freight rates to make the route commercially viable.

They also exchanged technical experience to improve logistics efficiency, ensure cargo safety, and enhance continuity of operations along the corridor.

Officials highlighted the strategic importance of the Trans-Afghan route in opening access to South Asian markets while positioning Uzbekistan as a key regional logistics hub.

Both sides agreed to strengthen multimodal transport services through neighboring countries and work toward a unified approach for regional connectivity and trade facilitation.

Uzbekistan reaffirmed its commitment to an open and mutually beneficial transport policy, focused on expanding trade routes, improving logistics infrastructure, and boosting the efficiency of international freight transport.

Earlier in July 2025, the first meeting of the foreign ministers of Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan took place in Kabul, where the three nations signed a framework intergovernmental agreement to prepare a feasibility study (FS) for the Trans-Afghan Railway Project.

Under the trilateral plan, the 573-kilometer railway will connect Termez (Uzbekistan) with Mazar-i-Sharif and Logar (Afghanistan), extending onward to Kharlachi (Pakistan). Once operational, the corridor is expected to handle up to 20 million tonnes of freight annually, dramatically reducing both transportation costs and transit times between Central and South Asia.

The project is viewed as a cornerstone of regional connectivity, offering landlocked Central Asian states direct access to Pakistani seaports while creating new opportunities for trade, energy transit, and economic integration across the broader region.

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UN reaffirms commitment to supporting Afghan people

The UN envoy acknowledged that Afghanistan continues to face significant challenges but said the talents, aspirations and potential of its people are even greater.

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Rabab Fatima, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, has reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to supporting the Afghan people, praising their resilience and determination despite decades of conflict and hardship.

In a statement marking the 81st anniversary of the United Nations on October 24, Fatima said Afghanistan had been part of the organization’s history since joining the UN in 1946.

She noted that for nearly eight decades, the United Nations and its partners had supported Afghans through conflict, natural disasters, displacement, drought and humanitarian emergencies.

Fatima also praised Afghan women and men, young people, community leaders, teachers, healthcare workers and humanitarian staff for continuing to serve their communities despite challenging circumstances.

“As I begin my responsibilities in Afghanistan, I do so with deep respect for the Afghan people, and your culture and rich heritage,” she said, pledging to listen, engage and work alongside Afghans.

The UN envoy acknowledged that Afghanistan continues to face significant challenges but said the talents, aspirations and potential of its people are even greater.

She reaffirmed that the United Nations would continue supporting the Afghan people and advocating for their dignity, opportunities and well-being.

“The future of Afghanistan belongs to its people, and the United Nations will remain a committed partner as Afghans shape that future,” Fatima said.

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UN praises resilience of Afghans, raises concerns over restrictions on women and girls

The UN’s renewed commitment comes as millions of people across Afghanistan continue to depend on humanitarian assistance.

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The United Nations has praised the resilience of the Afghan people in the face of decades of conflict, poverty, displacement and climate change, while expressing concern over restrictions imposed on women and girls.

In a statement issued Saturday to mark the 81st anniversary of the UN’s founding, the organization said Afghans continue to face widespread humanitarian and economic challenges, while people returning to the country are also confronting numerous difficulties.

The UN said it remains committed to supporting Afghanistan through humanitarian assistance, healthcare, education, human rights protection, economic opportunities and disaster preparedness.

The statement emphasized that Afghanistan’s future belongs to its people and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to helping Afghans address ongoing humanitarian and economic challenges.

United Nations Day is observed annually on October 24, marking the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945.

The UN’s renewed commitment comes as millions of people across Afghanistan continue to depend on humanitarian assistance.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has previously said that human rights are now better protected than ever in the country under Islamic Sharia.

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IEA rejects Pakistan’s allegations linking Afghanistan to insecurity

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Hamdullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, has strongly rejected the repeated allegations by Pakistani officials that Afghanistan is involved in insecurity in Pakistan, saying that creating or supporting insecurity in Pakistan is not in Afghanistan’s interests.

In a statement published on his account, Fitrat said that whenever Pakistani officials are unable to ensure security in their own country, they blame Afghanistan for incidents in an attempt to mislead public opinion.

According to Fitrat, Afghanistan neither has the necessary means to create insecurity in other countries nor would it benefit from such actions, as insecurity in Pakistan also harms Afghanistan economically, socially and in humanitarian terms.

The deputy spokesperson added that instead of focusing on their own security responsibilities, Pakistani officials wrongly blame Afghanistan and spend resources on plans aimed at destabilizing the country.

Fitrat described this approach as a way of evading core responsibilities, destabilizing the region and wasting economic resources. He further said that this misguided stance has distracted Pakistan’s security forces from their primary duties.

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