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PM signs letter seeking $4.8b for trilateral rail project
Pakistan, Uzbekistan agree to pursue Trans-Afghan railway line project ‘Mazar-e-Sharif – Kabul – Peshawar’
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday signed a “Joint Appeal Letter” seeking $4.8 billion loan from various International Financial Institutions (IFIs) for a railway line project connecting Pakistan with Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and the Central Asian Republics.
The premier signed the letter after Uzbekistan’s Minister for Transport Makhkamov Ilkham called on him.
During the meeting, matters relating to bilateral relations, regional connectivity, and peace and security in the region were discussed and the two sides agreed to pursue Trans-Afghan railway line project “Mazar-e-Sharif – Kabul – Peshawar”.
The prime minister particularly highlighted the importance of joint efforts to promote regional connectivity for economic growth and development of the region.
PM Imran observed that “Pakistani seaports provided a great opportunity to Central Asian States for access to the Indian Ocean.”
The official statement noted that PM Imran “supported Uzbek efforts to secure financing for the project by signing Joint Appeal Letter addressed to the Heads of various International Financial Institutions (IFIs) by Heads of State/Government of Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
The premier maintained he had long underlined that there was no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan.
He highlighted Pakistan’s positive contribution to the Afghan peace process and underscored that an inclusive and broad-based political solution would help the establishment of durable peace and stability and contribute to regional connectivity, progress and prosperity.
He observed that Pakistan’s fraternal ties with Uzbekistan were based on common religious, historic and cultural bonds and reaffirmed the commitment to further deepen bilateral cooperation in all spheres.
PM recalled his last meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and stated that Pakistan looked forward to his visit at the earliest convenience.
He also underlined Pakistan’s resolve to forge closer ties with Central Asia, covering trade, investments, energy, and people-to-people contacts.
The Uzbek transport minister conveyed the cordial greetings and best wishes of the Uzbek president and noted that President Mirziyoyev was looking forward to visiting Pakistan.
On behalf of President Mirziyoyev, he also reiterated the invitation to the PM to visit Uzbekistan and reaffirmed the desire to have deeper bilateral trade and economic ties as well as enhanced connectivity with Pakistan.
Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati and Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood were present during the meeting.
The Uzbek minister is on a one-day visit to Islamabad to discuss in detail rail and road cooperation from Central Asia to Pakistani seaports.
With the funds raised under the joint appeal, a 573-km long railway link will be constructed. The shortest economic track would run from Peshawar to Kabul and from Kabul to Uzbekistan via Mazar-e-Sharif and the route will have “27 stations, 912 artificial constructions and 7 tunnels” to facilitate cargo movement.
PM signs letter seeking $4.8b for trilateral rail project | The Express Tribune
Pakistan, Uzbekistan agree to pursue Trans-Afghan railway line project ‘Mazar-e-Sharif – Kabul – Peshawar’
Trade corridor from Afghanistan to Turkey inaugurated
Lapis Lazuli trade corridor moves through Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Georgia to reach Istanbul and Europe
KABUL, Afghanistan
A landmark transport corridor was inaugurated on Thursday linking landlocked Afghanistan with Turkey for trade via Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.
The Lapis Lazuli project makes Afghanistan “not only the gateway to the Indian subcontinent, but once again the gateway to the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Europe,” Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, Afghanistan’s president, told a ceremony in the western city of Herat.
After decades of isolation, he added, “today Afghanistan is reaching out. Afghans are people of connectivity, not separation.”
He also thanked the Turkish, Turkmen, Azeri, and Georgian leadership for their support in making the project a reality.
Speaking at the occasion, Turkey's Ambassador to Afghanistan, Oguzhan Ertugrul, said the corridor -- made mostly of rail and highways -- would not only boost regional trade, but also help promote peace in Afghanistan. He added that Ankara hopes to further promote ties with Kabul, and pledged support for Afghanistan in various sectors.
Beginning in Afghanistan’s northern Faryab province and Turqundi in Herat, the corridor continues to Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan and after crossing the Caspian Sea, links to the Azerbaijani capital Baku to Tbilisi and Georgia’s Black Sea ports of Batumi and Poti.
After connecting with Kars in eastern Turkey, it proceeds to Istanbul and ends in Europe.
The corridor connects with Turkey’s Middle Corridor Project (East-West Trans-Caspian Trade and Transport Corridor) and complements other regional transport corridors, such as the Five Nations Railway Corridor.
The first consignment, carrying cotton, raisins, sesame seeds and dry fruit, today embarked on the rail route through Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Balkans.
Named after Afghanistan’s precious gemstone, the Lapis Lazuli Route agreement was signed last year in Turkmenistan.
Trade corridor from Afghanistan to Turkey inaugurated
Lapis Lazuli trade corridor moves through Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Georgia to reach Istanbul and Europe - Anadolu Ajansı
www.aa.com.tr
South Asian markets will gain a new route with the combination of the Trans Caspian logistics line with the Trans-Afghan railway, ofc with other on going projects. Capacity and cost constraints can be overcome over time. This new trade route could be a positive factor in improving relations between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, as well as Pakistan could strengthen its position over accessing other far ends, like China, India, ASEAN etc.. This logistic lines could also be a driving force for Afghanistan's development. There is no doubt, Afghanistan's development will strengthen the stability of whole region. The creation of this security and trade belt (which Turkey-Pakistan at two ends) has the potential to changing geopolitics of Central Asia and balance Russia's political/soft power here. Also, China seems to be the only foreign power in the region that can potentially support this kind of initiative.
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