The $4.8 billion railway project will connect Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan, creating a major transport route from Central Asia to the Arabian Sea. Once operational, the route will allow for passenger and cargo rail travel from Pakistan to Uzbekistan via Afghanistan, reducing transit times and enhancing cross-border links.
The Trans-Afghan Railway project will connect Termez, Uzbekistan, to Mazar-i-Sharif and Kabul, Afghanistan, before eventually reaching Peshawar, Pakistan. This historic corridor is projected to significantly improve regional trade, tourism, and economic integration by providing landlocked Central Asian countries direct access to seaports for the first time.
Construction has already begun in stages, with trilateral agreements inked between the three countries to assure smooth execution, security cooperation, and operational standards. Officials estimate the first passenger and freight services to begin in 2027, with trial lines perhaps opening earlier to test logistics and customs regulations.
Beyond trade, the railway promises a new era of people-to-people connectivity, allowing easier travel for students, workers, and tourists across the region. The project underscores a shared vision for a peaceful, prosperous, and interconnected Greater Eurasia, with Pakistan positioned as a vital gateway for Central Asian access to global markets.
