ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday described regional connectivity as a cornerstone of economic stability and prosperity, saying it “is not optional, but essential for growth and shared progress.”
Addressing the Regional Transport Ministers’ Conference in Islamabad, Dar said that cooperation among regional nations directly affects millions of lives.
Transport ministers from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Iran, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives attended the two-day event alongside representatives from the Asian Development Bank, ECO, UNESCAP, and other organizations.
Dar highlighted that Pakistan’s strategic location makes it a “natural hub” linking South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and China. “Our vision is to build seamless linkages through road, rail, air, maritime, energy and digital corridors — turning geography into an opportunity,” he said.
The foreign minister pointed to CPEC as a “symbol of win-win cooperation,” describing it as a “catalyst for energy, transport connectivity, and trade across South and Central Asia.”
Energy and Digital Corridors for the Future
Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s participation in projects such as the CASA-1000 electricity link and the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP-500) energy corridor, which aim to enhance regional energy security and economic integration.
He also cited progress on the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway and the Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad corridor as cost-effective trade routes connecting Europe and Asia.
The deputy prime minister said Pakistan was modernising its ports, highways, and airports while promoting digital connectivity. “Physical and digital connectivity must advance together,” he said, adding that Pakistan was prioritising e-port integration and paperless trade systems to improve efficiency and transparency.
Dar concluded by inviting regional partners to “deepen engagement and forge durable partnerships,” describing connectivity as “the foundation of trust, opportunity, and shared destiny.”
