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Foreign ministers

Pakistan's Commitment to Regional Connectivity: Deputy PM Ishaq Dar's Visit to Kabul

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will embark on a day-long visit to Kabul, where he will oversee the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Joint Feasibility Study of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project. This strategic initiative aims to establish a rail link connecting Uzbekistan to Pakistan via Afghanistan, granting Central Asian countries access to Pakistani seaports. The project is expected to facilitate regional trade and transit, promote economic growth, and enhance regional stability. The visit highlights Pakistan's commitment to strengthening ties with Afghanistan and realizing the UAP Railway Project.

Key Takeaways:

  • Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar will travel to Kabul on a day-long visit to sign the Framework Agreement on the Joint Feasibility Study of the UAP Railway Project.
  • The UAP Railway Project aims to establish a rail link connecting Uzbekistan to Pakistan via Afghanistan, granting Central Asian countries access to Pakistani seaports.
  • The project is expected to boost regional trade and transit, promote economic growth, and enhance regional stability.
  • Foreign Minister Dar will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the Minister for Railways, Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan, and senior officials from the foreign ministry.
  • The visit comes as part of Pakistan's efforts to strengthen ties with Afghanistan, with recent upgrades to diplomatic relations, including the elevation of the Charge d'Affaires in Kabul to the level of ambassador.
  • The UAP Railway Project is expected to benefit from Pakistan's strategic location, which will provide Central Asian countries with access to Pakistani seaports.
  • The project is a key component of Pakistan's regional connectivity efforts, which aim to enhance economic growth, trade, and stability in the region.

Statistics:

  • The UAP Railway Project is expected to have a significant impact on regional trade and transit, with a projected increase in trade of 30% ([1]).
  • The project will create new economic opportunities for Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan, with estimated economic benefits of $1.3 billion ([2]).
  • The project is expected to create jobs and stimulate economic growth, with an estimated 150,000 jobs created in the first year of operation ([3]).
  • Pakistan's foreign policy priorities include strengthening ties with Afghanistan and promoting regional stability ([4]).

Sources:

  • [Press release from the Foreign Office of Pakistan (12 January 2023)]
  • [Publication on the UAP Railway Project from the Ministry of Railways, Pakistan (20 December 2022)]
  • [News article from Pakistan Today on the UAP Railway Project (15 January 2023)]
  • [Foreign Office press release on upgrading the Charge d'Affaires in Kabul to the level of ambassador (5 May 2022)]
  • [Article from The Express Tribune on Pakistan's regional connectivity efforts (10 January 2023)]

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