Pakistan and Uzbekistan appreciate Chinese collaboration in finances for Trans-Afghan Railways

Islamabad: Pakistan and Uzbekistan have appreciated and encouraged Chinese collaboration in finances for technical assistance including satellite imagery and topographic surveys for Trans-Afghan Railways between Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan as agreed during a recent meetings held in Tashkent.

In a meeting here with Transport Minister of Uzbekistan Makhkamov Ilkhom, Pakistani Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Azam Khan Swati said the project will provide Uzbekistan with uninterrupted access to the Arabian water ports of Karachi, bin Qasim and Gwadar, the hub of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

“Rail infrastructure projects will provide a life line support for the reconstruction of Afghanistan and it will help towards reducing the humanitarian crises building up in Afghanistan. Respective countries focal persons have been directed for the expeditious follow up of the project on war footings,” Swati maintained, according to an official statement.

During the meeting the Federal Minister for Railways referred to the direction of the Prime Minister Imran Khan for taking all necessary steps to ensure the implementation of the project deliverables for Trans Afghan Railways between Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Both sides discussed the implementation of the trilateral understanding on the construction of Trans Afghan Railway between Mazar-e-Sharif, Kabul, Jalalabad, Torkham and Peshawar. They also lauded Russian federation’s commitment for assistance in the project.