ISLAMABAD: Pak­istan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Russia and Kazakhstan representatives have reviewed progress on a project aimed at increasing regional connectivity through rail link.

According to a statement issued by Pakistan Railways on Wednesday, delegates highlighted the need for easy communications, swift transportation and minimised trade barriers for economic growth of regional countries.

A multilateral joint working group meeting to discuss the flagship project of Mazar-i-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar corridor was held in Islamabad.

The meeting was chaired by the secretary/chairman of Ministry of Railways from the Pakistan side.

Mazar-i-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar corridor is one of the designated rail corridors defined and planned under the CAREC Railways Strategy 2017-2030.

The Trans-Afghan Rail­ways providing access to Karachi, Bin Qasim and Gwadar will connect the Central Asian and Eurasian railway systems and attract significant cargo flow, besides reviving the region’s histo­rical role as bridge

linking Europe and Asia with the shortest land route.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2021