Trilateral Agreement and Project Overview
On July 17, 2025, the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan signed a pivotal Framework Agreement on a Joint Feasibility Study in Kabul. This agreement is a key procedural step for the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project, also known as the Trans-Afghan Railway. The initiative aims to construct a direct railway link from Uzbekistan to Pakistan through Afghanistan, providing Central Asia with access to Pakistani seaports on the Indian Ocean.
Project Specifications and Proposed Benefits
- Route: The planned route would begin in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, pass through Termez, then cross into Afghanistan through Mazar-i-Sharif and Logar, before entering Pakistan at the Kharlachi/Kurram border crossing and terminating in Peshawar.
- Length and Cost: The railway is proposed to span approximately 573 km (356 miles), though other reports cite lengths of up to 850 km. The estimated project cost has risen over time, with recent figures ranging from $4.8 billion to $7 billion.
- Economic Impact: Proponents project significant economic benefits:
- Slashing cargo transit time between Uzbekistan and Pakistan from 35 days to just 3-5 days.
- Reducing transport costs by 40% or more.
- Potentially moving up to 20 million tonnes of freight annually.
Geopolitical and Economic Context
The project is more than an infrastructure venture; it's a strategic effort to reshape regional connectivity.
- For Landlocked Nations: It offers Uzbekistan and other Central Asian states direct access to global markets via Pakistani ports in Karachi and Gwadar.
- For Afghanistan: The railway is central to the Taliban government's strategy to gain economic legitimacy, end isolation, and position the country as a vital transit hub.
- For Pakistan: It aims to establish the shortest and most efficient trade route to Central Asia, boost trade volumes, and strengthen its role as a regional connector.
Significant Implementation Challenges
Despite the agreement, the project faces major hurdles that will determine its success.
Challenge Category
Specific Issues
Security
The route passes through volatile regions. Threats include the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) in Afghanistan and the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch separatists in Pakistan.
Technical & Financial
The three countries use different railway gauges, requiring complex technical solutions. Securing the billions of dollars in funding remains unresolved.
Political & Diplomatic
Relations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban government have been tense over border security and militancy. The project's success hinges on sustained political will and cooperation.
Historical Timeline and Recent Momentum
The project's history shows a pattern of fits and starts, with recent diplomatic activity providing fresh momentum:
- 2018: First proposed by Uzbekistan.
- 2021: A trilateral roadmap was signed, but plans were disrupted by the Taliban's return to power.
- 2023: Key route (Termez-Mazar-i-Sharif-Logar-Kharlachi) was agreed upon in Islamabad.
- 2024-2025: High-level meetings accelerated. In May 2024, Uzbekistan sent engineers to Afghanistan. In June 2025, Pakistan and Uzbekistan devised a joint strategy for near-future construction.
- July 17, 2025: The Framework Agreement for the feasibility study was signed in Kabul.
Path Forward and Regional Implications
The signing of the framework agreement is a formal commitment to move the project into a detailed planning phase. If the challenges—particularly security and financing—are addressed, construction could begin soon, with an operational target between 2027 and 2030. The project is also attracting wider regional interest, with Kazakhstan expressing willingness to invest and other actors like China, Russia, and Gulf states monitoring its development closely.
