Aamir Abbasi
Editor, Islamabad
Aamir; a journalist with 15 years of experience, working in Newspaper, TV and Digital Media. Worked in Field, covered Big Legal Constitutional and Political Events in Pakistan since 2009 with Pakistan’s Top Media Organizations. Graduate of Quaid I Azam University Islamabad.
In a bold push to reshape regional connectivity, the ambitious Trans-Afghan Railway project is set to forge a direct trade corridor linking Pakistan’s seaports with landlocked Central Asia -- unlocking new economic potential for Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan.
In an exclusive interview with Nukta, Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi described the project as a “game-changer” for the region, projecting it as a catalyst for trade, diplomacy, and development across South and Central Asia.
A new artery of regional trade
The Trans-Afghan Railway—spanning approximately 1,009 kilometers—will connect Pakistan’s ports of Karachi and Port Qasim to Uzbekistan via Afghanistan. The route comprises three key segments:
- Kohat to Karlachi (Afghan border): a 192-kilometer missing rail link to be constructed in Pakistan,
- Karlachi to Mazar-e-Sharif: a 642-kilometer stretch inside Afghanistan,
- Mazar-e-Sharif to Uzbekistan: a 75-kilometer existing connection.
Abbasi emphasized that the railway would cut transit times dramatically. “Exporters currently facing delays of two to three months will be able to move goods within just 48 hours,” he noted.
Beyond boosting Pakistan’s exports, the route will also facilitate passenger movement and open access to new trade corridors stretching toward Central Asia, Europe, and Moscow via existing Eurasian rail networks.
Economic windfall in the making
The railway's potential economic impact is massive, according to Abbasi. By anchoring Central Asian economies to Pakistan’s coastline, the project positions Pakistan as a central trade and logistics hub.
He added that the initiative aligns with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework, with Beijing now backing its extension through Afghanistan. Calling it “Pakistan’s biggest good luck,” Abbasi said the expansion could bring enormous economic returns in the form of enhanced trade and foreign investment.
Federal Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi (L) speaks with Nukta’s Islamabad Editor Aamir Abbasi during an interview in Islamabad.Nukta
Valued at $10 billion, the railway is expected to be completed by December 31, 2025. Abbasi said Afghanistan would ensure security along its stretch of the route, a key factor in project execution.
Diplomacy on the rails
The project also marks a major diplomatic breakthrough, particularly in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, which have often been clouded by mistrust and security tensions.
Abbasi described his recent visit to Afghanistan as “exceptionally warm,” with high-level meetings that included Afghan Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani. He said the Afghan leadership expressed full support for the railway and welcomed deeper regional collaboration. According to Abbasi, 99% of previously outstanding bilateral issues have now been resolved, allowing the project to move forward without friction.
ML-1 and the broader railway vision
The Trans-Afghan Railway is part of a broader modernization push for Pakistan Railways. Abbasi confirmed that work on the Main Line-1 (ML-1) upgrade is progressing with Chinese backing. Once completed in four years, ML-1 will reduce freight costs significantly—for example, bringing down coal transport charges from PKR 15 to PKR 4.5 per unit.
The Punjab government, he added, has allocated PKR 350 billion for broader rail upgrades. This includes PKR 250 billion for the Pindi-Lahore section, aimed at cutting travel time between the two cities to just two hours.
Other modernization plans include:
- Renovation of 40 stations with free Wi-Fi,
- Outsourcing major stations like Lahore and Multan,
- Launch of Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) to enhance passenger experience,
- Consideration of a new line, ML-2, for further expansion.
Security and stability
On recent security challenges, Abbasi addressed the attack on the Jaffar Express in Balochistan, calling it part of a broader “proxy war” allegedly supported by India. He said 36 terrorists had been killed in response and that all perpetrators were neutralized by Pakistani forces.
Reinforced checkpoints, heightened security personnel, and other protective measures have since been implemented to secure rail operations. Despite the incident, the Jaffar Express service resumed without disruption, signaling resilience in the face of adversity.
With the Trans-Afghan Railway on track and diplomatic channels warming, Pakistan’s ambitions to serve as a regional trade linchpin are inching closer to reality -- powered by steel rails, strategic partnerships, and a shifting regional order.
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