Pakistan and Afghanistan to expedite the framework for the UAP Railway Project.
Islamabad: Pakistan and Afghanistan have concurred to intensify efforts for the prompt finalization of the Framework Agreement for the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway project to improve regional connectivity.
An agreement was established during the inaugural session of the Additional Secretary-Level Mechanism between the Foreign Ministries of Pakistan and Afghanistan, conducted in Islamabad. The meeting occurs subsequent to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s visit to Kabul in April of this year.
The meeting assessed the implementation status of measures announced during the visit to facilitate Afghan transit trade and deliberated on critical areas of bilateral interest, including trade and transit cooperation, security, and connectivity.
Both parties acknowledged terrorism as a significant menace to regional peace and security. The Pakistani authorities underscored the necessity for tangible measures against terrorist organizations functioning on Afghan territory, asserting that these entities jeopardize Pakistan’s security and obstruct regional progress.
They emphasized the significance of improved regional connectivity as a driver for sustainable development and collective prosperity.
Issues concerning the repatriation of Afghan nationals were also discussed during the meeting. The Pakistani authorities reported their initiatives to enable documented travel from Afghanistan, particularly by issuing over 500,000 visas since January of the previous year across various categories, including medical, tourism, business, and education.
Both parties concurred to collaborate in enhancing the legal mobility of individuals across borders.
The two parties reiterated their commitment to ongoing collaboration in tackling shared challenges and acknowledged that enduring security is fundamental to development for both nations and the enhancement of their bilateral relations.
