Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have agreed to advance studies for the Trans-Afghan railway during talks in Uzbekistan on Wednesday, as both countries seek to expand freight links between Central and South Asia.
Mohammad Ishaq Sahibzada, Afghanistan's Deputy Minister for Railways at the Ministry of Public Works, led a technical delegation that met Zufar Narzullayev, Director General of Uzbekistan Railways.
Explaining the purpose of the visit, the ministry said, “The meeting aimed to strengthen bilateral railway cooperation, follow up on joint projects and accelerate the implementation of infrastructure projects between the two countries.”
Technical teams discussed a feasibility assessment for the project, the transfer of survey documents for the Herat–Mazar-e-Sharif railway, and the construction of new warehouses and branch lines along the Hairatan–Mazar-e-Sharif railway.
The delegations also discussed increasing freight volumes through Hairatan.
Summarising the outcome, the ministry said, “Both sides emphasised strengthening bilateral railway cooperation, expanding trade relations, increasing the transportation of commercial goods and providing greater facilities for traders and investors.”
The existing 75-kilometre Hairatan–Mazar-e-Sharif railway was built with a $165 million Asian Development Bank grant and links northern Afghanistan with Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan has also supported Afghanistan through electricity supplies, rail operations and border trade facilities in Termez. According to the Uzbek government, the two countries signed 35 trade and investment agreements worth $2.5 billion in 2024.
The Trans-Afghan railway remains at the feasibility stage. A trilateral framework signed by Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan in July 2025 covers studies for a 573-kilometre route to the Kharlachi border crossing in Pakistan.
Uzbek estimates put the cost at about $4.8 billion, with capacity of up to 20 million tonnes a year. However, the Afghan statement gave no timetable or financing details.
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