Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan Railway Project
{{Short description|Railway line in South Asia}}
{{Infobox rail line
| box_width =
| name = Pakistan-Afghanistan-Uzbekistan railway
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| type = Passenger and freight
| system =
| status = Proposed
| locale = Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan
| start = Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| end = Peshawar, Pakistan
| stations =
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| ridership2 =
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| owner = Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan
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| linelength_km = 573
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The Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan Railway Project is an extensive project undertaking with the objective of creating a direct railway link between Uzbekistan and Pakistan, passing through Afghanistan's territory. This project aims to enhance trade and logistics efficiency by establishing a 573-km rail connection that would connect Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, to Kabul and Peshawar, the capitals of Afghanistan and a provincial capital of Pakistan, respectively.{{Cite web|url=https://en.trend.az/business/transport/3776306.html|title=Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan finalize talks on major railway project dispatch|date=July 23, 2023|website=Trend.Az}}{{Cite web|url=https://pakobserver.net/pak-afghan-uzbek-sign-573km-connecting-railway/|title=Pak, Afghan & Uzbek sign 573km connecting railway|date=July 19, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2426919/joint-protocol-on-tri-nation-rail-link-signed |title=Joint protocol on tri-nation rail link signed |publisher=Tribune.com.pk |date=2023-07-19 |accessdate=2023-07-24}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1765398|title=Trans-Afghan railway to connect Uzbekistan with Pakistan|first=Amin|last=Ahmed|date=July 18, 2023|website=DAWN.COM}}
Project Details
The estimated cost of the project is US$4.8 billion, and its implementation is anticipated to strengthen trade relations between Pakistan and Central Asia.{{cite web|author=February 28, 2023 |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/1067628/regional-connectivity-via-uzbekistan-afghanistan-pakistan-railway-corridor/ |title=Regional connectivity via Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-Railway Corridor |publisher=Daily Times |date=2023-02-28 |accessdate=2023-07-24}} The trilateral agreement spanning 760 kilometers was signed by Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan, aiming to significantly reduce cargo delivery times between Uzbekistan and Pakistan by approximately five days.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2023/07/22/tripartite-railway-project-to-reduce-pak-uzbekistan-cargo-time-by-5-days/|title=Tripartite railway project to reduce Pak-Uzbekistan cargo time by 5 days|date=July 22, 2023}}
The railway route will traverse through Termez, Mazar-i-Sharif, and Logar in Afghanistan, and continue to the Kharlachi border crossing in Pakistan's northwestern Kurram district. Designed to facilitate both passenger and freight services, the railway is poised to foster regional trade and contribute to overall economic growth in the area.
Gauge
Three different gauges are involved:
- Iran in the West (1435mm)
- Afghanistan in the middle (1435mm)
- Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in the North (1520mm) with dual gauge (1435mm) to bypass two breaks of gauge.
- Pakistan in the South (1676mm)
- China in the East (1435mm)
References
{{reflist}}
{{Railway lines in Pakistan}}
Category:Cross-border railway lines in Pakistan
Category:International railway lines
Category:Transport in Central Asia
Category:Afghanistan–Pakistan relations
Category:Pakistan–Uzbekistan relations
Category:Afghanistan–Uzbekistan relations
Category:Foreign relations of Pakistan