Key points
- Deputy premier will be accompanied by a high-level delegation
- Project to facilitate Central Asian states’ access to Pakistani seaports
- It is expected to promote regional stability, growth and development
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar will undertake a day-long visit to Kabul on Thursday to sign the Framework Agreement on Joint Feasibility Study for the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project.
The deputy premier will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising the minister for railways, a special representative for Afghanistan and the Ministry of Railways secretary.
The UAP Railway Project aims to build a rail link to connect Uzbekistan with Pakistan via Afghanistan and facilitate access to Pakistani seaports for Central Asian states.
Regional trade and transit
By facilitating regional trade and transit, the project is expected to promote regional stability, growth and development.
A statement issued by Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said the deputy prime minister’s visit underscores the importance Pakistan attaches to the successful realisation of the UAP Railway Project.
The spokesman said the signing of the Framework Agreement on Joint Feasibility Study between the three participating countries in Kabul will be an important step towards its implementation.
During the visit, Ishaq Dar will also hold a meeting with the Afghan acting foreign minister and will call on the acting prime minister of Afghanistan to discuss bilateral matters and exchange views on regional and international developments.
