Pakistan and Russia have agreed to deepen their cooperation by developing extensive rail and road networks aimed at linking Pakistan with Central Asia and Russia.
This will enable the landlocked countries in the region direct access to warm water ports.
The move is seen as a strategic step to boost regional trade and integration.
The agreement was reached during a meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan and Russian Deputy Minister of Transport Andrey Sergeyevich Nikitin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) ministerial conference held in Tianjin, China.
According to a Geo News report, both countries committed to accelerating infrastructure development as part of a broader vision to transform Pakistan into a regional transit hub. The initiative seeks to enhance trade corridors and logistical routes stretching from Central Asia to Russia, ultimately integrating these networks with Pakistan’s seaports.
Highlighting Islamabad’s efforts to modernise its transport system, Khan stated that Pakistan is upgrading its infrastructure by digitising highways, implementing barrier-free motorways, enforcing mandatory e-tagging, and expanding CCTV surveillance.
“These reforms are aligned with Pakistan's goal to enhance regional connectivity and streamline cross-border trade,” Khan noted.
Russian Deputy Minister Nikitin echoed these sentiments, recognising the potential of Pakistan-Russia collaboration in reshaping regional trade dynamics. He affirmed Moscow’s commitment to advancing joint infrastructure projects with Pakistan.
This development follows another regional milestone from last month, when Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to expedite the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) rail project. The railway line, set to link Pakistan with Central Asia via Afghanistan, is expected to be a critical component of the region’s connectivity blueprint.
In a recent phone conversation, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi pledged to work together toward finalising the framework agreement for the project.