(WNAM EXCLUSIVE):The upcoming visit of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Pakistan, along with the Uzbek-Pakistani Business Forum in Islamabad on February 5–6, represents more than routine diplomacy. It marks a strategic inflection point in relations between Central and South Asia with the potential to reshape regional trade, connectivity, and economic cooperation. Both countries recognize that political goodwill must translate into practical mechanisms that facilitate commerce, reduce costs, and unlock new markets.
Pakistan’s access to the Arabian Sea gives it a natural advantage as a gateway for Central Asian trade. For Uzbekistan, diversified routes to global markets are essential for long-term economic resilience. For Pakistan, stronger ties with Uzbekistan promise increased transit revenues, better utilization of ports, and a strengthened role as a regional logistics hub connecting Central Asia with South Asia and the Middle East.
The most consequential development in this regard is the Trans-Afghan railway project. Envisioned as a direct overland corridor linking Uzbekistan with Pakistani ports through Afghanistan, the project has moved beyond concept. The signing of a trilateral framework agreement in July 2025 to conduct a feasibility study reflects growing regional consensus on its importance. Once completed, the railway could reduce cargo delivery times from weeks to days and dramatically lower transportation costs—fundamentally changing the economics of regional trade.
Beyond connectivity, the project carries wider strategic and economic implications. It offers Afghanistan a pathway to economic integration, investment, and stability while providing the broader region with an efficient north–south trade corridor. Forecasts of up to 20 million tons of annual freight underline its potential to catalyze growth across logistics, manufacturing, and services.
The Islamabad business forum is expected to focus on translating this momentum into concrete outcomes, including the ambitious goal of increasing bilateral trade to $2 billion. Achieving this will require expanding preferential trade arrangements, streamlining customs procedures, and harmonizing regulatory frameworks—particularly in agriculture, textiles, and light industry.
Ultimately, the significance of President Mirziyoyev’s visit lies in its timing. The region is searching for sustainable economic pathways driven by trade rather than conflict. By anchoring their relationship in transport connectivity and industrial cooperation, Uzbekistan and Pakistan have an opportunity to build a durable partnership that delivers tangible economic dividends.
If backed by consistent policy follow-through and regional coordination, this emerging corridor could become a model for pragmatic, growth-oriented cooperation, benefiting not just the two countries, but the wider region as well.
