In a step towards bolstering bilateral ties, Kazakhstan and Pakistan have expressed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in the transport sector, the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan reported. The Vice Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan, Talgat Lastaev, recently held a crucial meeting with Syed Mazhar Ali Shah, the First Deputy Minister of Communications, Railways, and Maritime Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
The discussions focused on various aspects of collaboration, particularly in the railway sector, road transport, and maritime affairs. Both sides deliberated on the possibility of establishing an Intergovernmental Commission, scheduling an expert meeting, and arranging a visit by a Kazakh delegation to Pakistan during the first half of this year.
During the meeting, Deputy Minister Talgat Lastaev emphasized Kazakhstan's keen interest in fostering a robust transport and logistics system. He stressed the pivotal role such a system would play in elevating partnership relations between the two nations.
While acknowledging the absence of direct railway communication between Kazakhstan and Pakistan, Lastaev highlighted the untapped potential for transit corridors. He expressed Kazakhstan's interest in the proposed project for constructing the ML-4 Gwadar-Quetta and Kohat-Thal-Kharlachi railway lines. This infrastructure development aims to facilitate and streamline trade along land routes, ultimately enhancing economic connectivity.
"Today it is possible to organize multimodal communication along the route Kazakhstan – Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan, considering the transportation of goods by both rail and road transport. The implementation of these projects will enable the full utilization of existing corridors," Lastaev noted.
The Vice Minister also touched upon the prospects for collaboration in the maritime sector, proposing a joint effort to develop international transport corridors such as the "North-South" and the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). He suggested the possibility of organizing container transportation and exporting goods from Kazakhstan and China through the port of Aktau to Iran. From there, the goods could be transported further to Pakistan through the Gulf of Oman, offering an optimal route for efficient trade.
Earlier Daryo reported that a high-level meeting took place in Tashkent between Ilkhom Mahkamov, the Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan, and Hamidulla Okhunzoda, the Acting Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation of Afghanistan. The discussions, which revolved around bilateral cooperation, particularly highlighted the urgent implementation of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway construction project. This collaborative initiative, aimed at enhancing regional connectivity, involves joint efforts from Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. An important aspect of the meeting focused on reaching an agreement to apply fees for road transport on an equitable basis between the two nations.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)