ISLAMABAD, Tuesday, June 3, 2025 (WNP): Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi and Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Alisher Tukhtaev, held wide-ranging discussions on Tuesday to accelerate progress on the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Transit Corridor — a strategic project poised to reshape regional connectivity.
The meeting, held in Islamabad, focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the railway sector and finalizing a joint strategy for the timely execution of the 850-kilometer railway corridor, including the construction of a 647-kilometer stretch through Afghanistan.
Calling it a “historic milestone,” both leaders emphasized the corridor’s potential to strengthen regional economic integration by establishing the first direct rail link between Central and South Asia.
“This project will provide Pakistan with the shortest and most efficient access to Central Asia, boosting trade volumes and laying the foundation for stronger regional economies,” said Hanif Abbasi. He added that the corridor would significantly reduce transit time and costs, with a projected freight capacity of 15 million tons annually — a development expected to dramatically enhance import and export operations.
The minister highlighted the corridor’s strategic alignment with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, saying, “This initiative not only deepens economic ties but also supports broader regional peace and stability.”
Ambassador Tukhtaev reiterated Uzbekistan’s interest in investment opportunities within Pakistan’s railway infrastructure and underscored the potential for expanded bilateral trade. He noted that collaborative infrastructure projects like the UAP Railway Corridor can stimulate economic growth and generate employment across the region.
Both sides acknowledged the project’s potential to contribute to stability and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan, framing it as a symbol of regional development and cooperation.
Hanif Abbasi also reaffirmed Pakistan’s intent to benefit from Uzbekistan’s technical expertise to modernize Pakistan Railways and implement institutional reforms.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both leaders expressed their commitment to sustained collaboration on railway development and broader regional integration.
Railway Police tighten security ahead of Eid-ul-Azha
In view of Eid-ul-Azha, Pakistan Railways has issued strict directives to enhance security at railway stations and onboard trains nationwide. On the instructions of Federal Minister Hanif Abbasi, all Superintendents of Police (SPs) Railways have been told to deploy additional personnel at entry and exit points, monitor suspicious individuals, and carry out thorough inspections.
According to an official from the Ministry of Railways, commandos will be stationed at sensitive sites, bomb disposal squads will remain on high alert, and empty rakes will be searched before train departures. All SPs Railways are also directed to remain on duty during Eid holidays and conduct random inspections.
With a surge in passenger traffic expected, Pakistan Railways has announced five special Eid trains from various cities to accommodate increased demand.
* The first special train departed from Karachi for Lahore at 1:00 pm on June 2.
* The second left Quetta for Peshawar at 10:00 am on June 3.
* The third is set to depart from Lahore to Karachi at 5:00 pm today.
* The fourth will depart Karachi for Rawalpindi at 7:30 pm.
* The fifth and final Eid special will leave Karachi for Lahore at 7:30 pm on June 4.
Pakistan Railways recovers encroached land worth millions
In a significant anti-encroachment drive, Pakistan Railways successfully reclaimed valuable land from illegal occupants on the Taxila-Havelian section.
According to a PR spokesperson, the operation — conducted on the directives of Minister Hanif Abbasi — was carried out under the supervision of the Property and Land Branch Rawalpindi and with assistance from Railways Police.
Land between Haripur and Sarai Saleh stations, illegally occupied with houses, shops, and boundary walls, was cleared in the operation. All legal protocols were followed, and local authorities were taken into confidence, the spokesperson added.
“This effort aims to safeguard Railways’ assets and prevent future encroachments,” he said, urging the public to refrain from unlawful construction. “Legal action will be taken against violators without any discrimination.”
