Uzbekistan approves feasibility study agreement for Trans-Afghan railway

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has approved an intergovernmental agreement to prepare a feasibility study for the construction of the Trans-Afghan railway, a project aimed at strengthening regional transport connectivity.

The framework agreement was signed on July 17, 2025, in Kabul by the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Works, and Pakistan’s Ministry of Railways. It envisions joint work on a proposed railway line linking Naibabad in Afghanistan with Kharlachi, a border point with Pakistan, Caliber.Az reports. 

Under the presidential decree, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport has been designated as the lead authority responsible for implementing the agreement. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been tasked with formally notifying Afghanistan and Pakistan that Uzbekistan has completed all required domestic procedures for the agreement to enter into force and has appointed a competent implementing body.

The Cabinet of Ministers and relevant government agencies have been instructed to oversee the execution of the agreement once it becomes effective. Overall supervision of the decree’s implementation has been assigned to Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister, Abdulla Aripov.

By Sabina Mammadli