- Hanif Abbasi, Farzana Sadiq hold detailed talks on sidelines of Regional Transport Ministers’ Conference
- Both sides reaffirm commitment to enhance collaboration in railways, trade and communications
- Joint action plan proposed to expand freight operations and infrastructure linkages
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran on Thursday reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepen cooperation in railways, communications, and regional connectivity—underscoring the need for a joint action plan to advance future collaboration and boost cross-border trade links, according to state media.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi and Iran’s Minister of Road and Urban Development Farzana Sadiq on the sidelines of the Regional Transport Ministers’ Conference in Islamabad, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.
Both ministers discussed ways to enhance freight operations, expand trade routes, and strengthen infrastructure linkages between the two countries. They also agreed to accelerate practical measures aimed at improving the efficiency of existing transport corridors, state broadcaster PTV News said.
Minister Abbasi said Pakistan attaches great importance to its “brotherly and neighborly” relations with Iran, noting that bilateral ties have seen notable progress in recent years. He pointed out that the Pakistan-Iran railway connection, established in 1917, stands as one of the oldest in the region—a network that now requires renewed focus for modernization and expansion.
Highlighting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision for a modern, efficient, and trade-oriented railway sector, Abbasi said Pakistan Railways is currently undergoing a comprehensive upgrade drive to improve connectivity and logistical efficiency.
He added that the freight transport system from Karachi Port would be enhanced to better serve regional trade, expressing hope that work on the 884-kilometer Rohri–Kundi section would commence soon—a key step toward boosting national and regional connectivity.
Abbasi emphasized that enhanced cooperation with Iran aligns with Pakistan’s broader strategy to integrate with regional transport and trade corridors, including CPEC and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) network, paving the way for greater economic and people-to-people linkages across the region.
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