Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized the importance of the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan railway project, calling for faster progress on the joint feasibility study to strengthen connectivity between Central and South Asia.
Sharif made the remarks during a meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
According to reports, the prime minister highlighted the strategic importance of the Trans-Afghan Railway, saying the project could provide Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries with improved access to Pakistan’s seaports through Afghanistan. He stressed the need for early progress on the joint feasibility study and greater use of existing multimodal transport corridors.
The proposed railway is intended to create a direct transportation link between Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, potentially facilitating the movement of goods between Central Asian markets and ports on the Arabian Sea.
The project has been under discussion for several years, with the three countries working toward a joint feasibility study. In February 2026, Uzbekistan approved an agreement concerning the joint development of the feasibility study for the proposed railway.
If implemented, the railway could significantly improve regional trade and transit connectivity while strengthening Afghanistan’s role as a bridge between Central and South Asia.
During their Bishkek meeting, Shehbaz Sharif and Mirziyoyev also discussed broader economic cooperation, trade, investment and transport connectivity. Pakistan reaffirmed its readiness to facilitate Uzbek trade through its ports and transportation infrastructure.