Latest news with #regionalConnectivity
Arab News
a day ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan, China discuss progress of CPEC projects, connectivity with Central Asia
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has met China's Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong and discussed progress of ongoing China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects and linking the corridor with Central Asian states for greater regional connectivity and economic stability, Pakistan's Press Information Department (PID) said on Sunday. Since 2013, Beijing has invested tens of billions of dollars in energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan as part of CPEC, a major segment of China's Belt and Road Initiative that aims to build land and maritime trade routes linking Asia with Africa and Europe. In May, Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to the expansion of CPEC to Afghanistan after the recent trilateral meeting in Beijing, while Pakistani and Chinese leaders have invited Central Asian republics in recent years to join CPEC to enhance regional connectivity and economic cooperation. At the meeting in Islamabad, both Pakistani and Chinese officials discussed the progress of ongoing CPEC projects and preparations for the upcoming Pakistan-China Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting, where key decisions are expected to be made. 'Connecting CPEC to Central Asian states will contribute to regional economic stability and economic cooperation,' Iqbal said as he reiterated his government's commitment to ensuring security of CPEC projects, according to PID. Despite massive Chinese investments, Pakistan has struggled to keep up its financial obligations regarding CPEC, while the undertaking has also been hit by militant attacks in recent years. Iqbal previously said the two sides will hold the JCC meeting at the end of July, at which they will approve roadmap for CPEC's Phase 2. The next phase would be based on five corridors, relating to growth, innovation, livelihoods, green energy, and open and inclusive development in the region, he told reporters at a briefing in Islamabad last month. Speaking at Sunday's meeting, he said the development of Gwadar port, which lies at the heart of CPEC in Pakistan's Balochistan, and Special Economic Zones was top priority of his government. 'The government is committed to fully capitalizing on the port's trade potential,' he said. During the meeting, Ambassador Jiang reaffirmed China's commitment to supporting Pakistan's development efforts, according to PID. 'He assured that bilateral cooperation will continue to expand in the coming years,' it said.
Arab News
14-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan, Uzbekistan launch direct air link to deepen regional connectivity
KARACHI: Pakistan on Saturday hosted the inaugural direct flight by Uzbekistan Airways between Islamabad and Tashkent, marking yet another step toward enhanced regional connectivity and deeper economic ties with Central Asia. Pakistan has been pushing to forge stronger trade links with landlocked Central Asian nations by offering access to its Arabian Sea ports. While several regional states border Afghanistan, Uzbekistan is seen as a strategic gateway due to its central location in the region and its larger economy. 'The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) proudly hosted the inaugural flight ceremony of Uzbekistan Airlines' direct service from Islamabad to Tashkent (Flight HY466), marking a significant milestone in enhancing regional air connectivity and people-to-people ties between Pakistan and Central Asia,' said a PAA statement. The flight, carrying 126 passengers, departed Islamabad at 1:09 p.m. on Saturday, following a festive check-in at Zone 1 of the international airport adorned with balloons, the statement said. It informed that ambassadors from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan attended the ceremony, joined by airport officials, tourism executives and Uzbekistan Airlines' country manager. Pakistan is also advancing plans for a railway link connecting Uzbekistan to Pakistan through Afghanistan. Earlier this month, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Afghan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi and Uzbek officials about the proposed 573‑km Uzbekistan‑Afghanistan‑Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project. The corridor aims to link Tashkent with Kabul and Peshawar, enhancing freight movement and reducing transit time by up to several days. The overland route via Afghanistan connects Pakistan's road and rail network through the mountainous frontier into Afghanistan and onward to Central Asia, offering an alternative to existing northbound trade routes.
Arab News
31-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan's deputy PM discusses trans-Afghan railway with Uzbek foreign minister
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar held a phone call with his Uzbek counterpart on Saturday to discuss steps toward advancing the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) railway project, including the framework agreement and its signing mechanism, said the foreign office. The UAP railway is a trilateral initiative aimed at enhancing regional connectivity by linking Central Asia with Pakistan's southern ports of Gwadar and Karachi through Afghanistan. Envisioned in 2021, the project is expected to improve trade access for landlocked countries and bolster economic integration in the region. 'Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, held a telephone conversation today with Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister, Saidov Bakhtiyor Odilovich @FM_Saidov,' the foreign office said in a social media post on X. 'They discussed the modalities for early finalization of the framework agreement for the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Line Project, including details of its signing ceremony in consultation with leadership of Afghanistan,' it added. The conversation came a day after Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to upgrade diplomatic relations, with Islamabad announcing it would elevate its chargé d'affaires in Kabul to ambassadorial rank. Kabul said it would reciprocate the move. Ties between the two countries have been tense in recent years, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan's Taliban administration of harboring militants involved in cross-border attacks, leading to a deportation drive against undocumented Afghan nationals. The Taliban have denied facilitating any violence inside Pakistan and criticized the deportations. Efforts to ease tensions between the two neighboring countries also gained momentum in recent months. During a trilateral meeting with Chinese officials in Beijing, Pakistan and Afghanistan announced plans to exchange ambassadors. Afghan authorities have also said Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is due to visit Pakistan 'in the coming days.' The UAP railway, first agreed in February 2021, envisions a 573-kilometer track linking Tashkent to Peshawar via Kabul, with an estimated cost of $4.8 billion. The project faces significant logistical challenges, including security concerns in Afghanistan and the need to reconcile different railway gauges across the three countries. However, Pakistan has already sent agricultural consignments to Uzbekistan last year. Implementation of the UAP railway is expected to further deepen trade ties among the three nations.
